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
-
Like sommeliers who make wine accessible to novices while satisfying connoisseurs, effective tech leaders communicate complex concepts clearly to diverse audiences.—
Dennis Kozak,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
Unfortunately, many new nurses leave their programs without adequate hands-on experience and confidence, putting pressure on experienced nurses to mentor novices without additional compensation for training.—
Shakira Henderson,
Sun Sentinel,
18 May 2025
Noun
-
Local businesses and surf shops like the Jimmy Lane Surfing Academy, Surfin’ NSB, and Nichols Surf Shop (which has been open since 1969 and is the town’s oldest surf shop) all employee seasoned instructors who are more than ready to help beginners discover the thrill of catching their first wave.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
27 May 2025
-
This bundle is structured for beginners who already have a basic understanding of IT and cybersecurity fundamentals.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
Following the ceremony, the royal couple went aboard the ship and met representatives leading the delivery of the ship, apprentices and graduates of the Shipbuilding Academy and Royal Navy members, who discussed the ship's construction and capabilities.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
22 May 2025
-
These included a gentleman singing with his manservant on Mardi Gras, seven apprentices of a ribbon maker singing together, and a woman charged for singing while working in her house and yard, among many others.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
That left newcomer Luke Farrell, Brayden Willis and Mason Pline as the main players at the position.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
-
The newcomer even adjusted to last-minute changes without difficulty.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
An All-Star as a rookie in 2024, Reese is shooting 31.3% (15-for-48) and averaging 9.2 points.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2025
-
Setup man Jake Bird has pitched well, hard-throwing Seth Halvorsen has been solid outside of two brutal outings, and Victor Vodnik, coming off a decent rookie season, returned from the IL this week to further fortify the bullpen.—
Chad Jennings,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
Arkansas stayed with the hot hand of freshman right-hander Payton Burnham, who pitched a shutout in a 4-0 victory Saturday.—
Ethan Westerman,
Arkansas Online,
26 May 2025
-
Listen to this article GAINESVILLE — Florida freshman slugger Taylor Shumaker ended her weekend slump in record-setting fashion but not before shortstop Rylee Holtorf showed why the Gators will be a tough out during the Women’s College World Series.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tenderfoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenderfoot. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share