1
as in newcomers
a person who has recently been persuaded to join a religious sect
neophytes are assigned an experienced church member to guide them through their first year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in novices
a person who is just starting out in a field of activity
a neophyte in snowboarding
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 neophytes
This is a lovely film that will appeal to Bernstein’s most ardent fans, while warmly inviting neophytes into his world.
—
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2026
Perhaps the thing that did catch the Penguins off guard was the way Philadelphia's playoff neophytes hardly seemed intimidated by the stage or the opponent.
—CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
But that sonic democratization is a large part of Suno’s allure for neophytes, who welcome the opportunity to have AI do most — or all — of the work for them, almost instantaneously.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
For its candidates in each of Hungary's 106 individual voting constituencies, Tisza has largely drawn on political neophytes locally active as entrepreneurs, doctors, economists, educators and other professionals.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026
Heartland churchgoers, urban sophisticates, football neophytes—everyone got swept up in his will to win.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2026
The horse's body is formed by four bright stars — the famous Great Square — one of the easiest star patterns for astronomy neophytes to trace out.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 Nov. 2025
The former played the role of cynosure for the neophytes of the new high society, the latter remaining the bastion of genteel estates and social exclusivity.
—JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2026
Perhaps the thing that did catch the Penguins off guard was the way Philadelphia's playoff neophytes hardly seemed intimidated by the stage or the opponent.
—CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
But that sonic democratization is a large part of Suno’s allure for neophytes, who welcome the opportunity to have AI do most — or all — of the work for them, almost instantaneously.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
For its candidates in each of Hungary's 106 individual voting constituencies, Tisza has largely drawn on political neophytes locally active as entrepreneurs, doctors, economists, educators and other professionals.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026
Heartland churchgoers, urban sophisticates, football neophytes—everyone got swept up in his will to win.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2026
The horse's body is formed by four bright stars — the famous Great Square — one of the easiest star patterns for astronomy neophytes to trace out.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 Nov. 2025
The former played the role of cynosure for the neophytes of the new high society, the latter remaining the bastion of genteel estates and social exclusivity.
—JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neophytes
Noun
-
Best and Last returns franchise regulars Steve-O, Ehren McGhehey, Preston Lacy, Chris Pontius, Wee Man, and Dave England, along with (younger and less broken) newcomers Zach Holmes, Jasper Dolphin, and Rachel Wolfson.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
-
With a population of almost 23,000—and growing rapidly—Zephyrhills draws newcomers with affordable housing and a cost of living that is 14 percent lower than the national average.—
Dobrina Zhekova,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The simple controls and hints gallery are optimized for novices, while the advanced playing modes are better suited for seasoned players.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Still, this brand will never offer a barrel-proof release because the whole point of it is to be a lower proof whiskey that is accessible to novices and can still be used in cocktails.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Staffers maintain that recruits have actually manipulated highlights for years, before AI, and there are tells, such as watching to see if the referees or people in the stands are sped up.—
Antonio Morales,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
When that happens, the recruiters usually close the doors immediately, sometimes with new recruits inside.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
In Northbrook, prizes and awards will be presented for all nine races, from beginners to top-level professionals, Schuler said.—
Phil Rockrohr,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The studio has been hosting workshops since December for both beginners and advanced students to learn more about the technique.—
Muriel Vega,
AJC.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Maple, meanwhile, is joined by utility player Emily Moline as one of three freshmen for the Saints.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
Palisades got five goals each from freshmen Emma Traister and Lulu Rotter, and senior Mae Resnick added three to finish the season with 80 goals as the Dolphins (14-7-1) won by the widest margin ever in a City girls final, topping the 10-goal difference when Birmingham beat Palisades 11-1 in 2015.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The Baptism of Christ is generally believed to have been completed by El Greco’s son and other apprentices in his workshop in the decade after the artist died.—
Leigh Anne Miller,
ARTnews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Art historians believe it was unfinished at the time El Greco died in 1614 and that it was completed by the painter’s son, Jorge Manuel, with help from other apprentices in El Greco’s workshop.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But among players such as rookies Rodriguez, the second-round pick from Texas Tech, Trey Moore, the fourth-round pick from Texas, and Kyle Louis, the fourth-round pick from Pitt, perhaps someone emerges or perhaps a hybrid role is created.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Only three of the team’s 15 active players have more than four years of experience in the WNBA, and six are rookies.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Neophytes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neophytes. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
