as in novice
a person who is just starting out in a field of activity
skateboarders who are tenderfeet will inevitably fall as they learn their first moves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tenderfoot
Smit-McPhee plays a hapless Scottish tenderfoot who teams with Fassbender's conflicted bounty hunter to track down his true love in the American West.
—
and Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 21 June 2024
The tenderfoot Americans, with six rookies, eight guys yet to reach 30, and minimal scar tissue, won three of four foursomes in the morning to get to 9-3 and two of four fourball rounds in the afternoon to reach 11-5.
—BostonGlobe.com, 25 Sep. 2021
Once upon a time, the members of a whitetail deer hunting club in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula invited a tenderfoot to their camp.
—The Editors, Field & Stream, 11 Oct. 2020
But even a tenderfoot can easily corral yeast and put it to use, because yeast is everywhere.
—Henry Fountain, New York Times, 7 May 2020
Lazaria Spearman School: Dacula High Class: 2022 Position: Forward
College: Undecided
Noteworthy: The 6-foot-2 tenderfoot averaged 17 points and 14 rebounds per game to help the Falcons to a 26-4 record.
—USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2020
But like a tenderfoot scout who confidently builds a campfire only to end up burning down the forest, Kalanick’s loose management — of his staff and himself — paved the way for a cascade of embarrassing scandals by 2014.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2019
The film stars Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster, a foppishly dressed tenderfoot who shows up on the Oregon territory with miniature horse named Butterscotch, looking to hire a preacher (David Zellner) for a wedding.
—Gary Thompson, Philly.com, 27 June 2018
and Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 21 June 2024
The tenderfoot Americans, with six rookies, eight guys yet to reach 30, and minimal scar tissue, won three of four foursomes in the morning to get to 9-3 and two of four fourball rounds in the afternoon to reach 11-5.
—BostonGlobe.com, 25 Sep. 2021
Once upon a time, the members of a whitetail deer hunting club in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula invited a tenderfoot to their camp.
—The Editors, Field & Stream, 11 Oct. 2020
But even a tenderfoot can easily corral yeast and put it to use, because yeast is everywhere.
—Henry Fountain, New York Times, 7 May 2020
Lazaria Spearman School: Dacula High Class: 2022 Position: Forward
College: Undecided
Noteworthy: The 6-foot-2 tenderfoot averaged 17 points and 14 rebounds per game to help the Falcons to a 26-4 record.
—USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2020
But like a tenderfoot scout who confidently builds a campfire only to end up burning down the forest, Kalanick’s loose management — of his staff and himself — paved the way for a cascade of embarrassing scandals by 2014.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2019
The film stars Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster, a foppishly dressed tenderfoot who shows up on the Oregon territory with miniature horse named Butterscotch, looking to hire a preacher (David Zellner) for a wedding.
—Gary Thompson, Philly.com, 27 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenderfoot
Noun
-
This makes these spots good for young anglers and novices as well as those with mobility challenges.—
Kaitlyn Keegan,
Hartford Courant,
10 July 2025
-
Two pilots in uniform greeted us and put all of us novice fliers at ease, giving us a rundown about the safety measures between cracking jokes.—
Sabrina Weiss,
People.com,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
This class is ideal for absolute beginners with no prior poker experience.—
Kris Slugg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
-
From beginner to competitive player, golfers can improve every round.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Deighton said the company plans to add more technicians and apprentices soon, adding that finding qualified people is challenging because U.K. universities are not teaching processes like laser design.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
25 June 2025
-
Luna’s mother was British costume designer Fiona Alexander, who died when Luna was 2 years old, and his father was Mexican set designer Alejandro Luna, whom Luna shadowed as a child and, later, as an apprentice.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
11 June 2025
Noun
-
For regular attendees of this elevated, date-night-worthy soiree, there will be newcomer wares to sample.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 July 2025
-
O'Reilly's acceptance of newcomers helped grow his city while other cities in the region with smaller immigrant communities saw a population decline during that decade.—
Niraj Warikoo,
Freep.com,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
Gilgeous-Alexander spent his rookie season with the Los Angeles Clippers and has been with the Thunder ever since.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
-
Doubs finished his rookie season with 42 receptions, which was fourth on the team.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
The Tigers played him as a wideout during his freshman season, then transitioned him to the slot ahead of his breakout season in 2023.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
13 July 2025
-
The 19-year-old guard averaged 11.6 points per game during his productive freshman season.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tenderfoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenderfoot. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share