LAYMAN Synonyms: 24 Similar and Opposite Words

layman

noun

ˈlā-mən

Definition of layman

as in amateur

a person who regularly or occasionally engages in an activity as a pastime rather than as a profession the discussion about investing was geared more to the layman than to the professional investor

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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 layman In the United States, the layman can do this any day of the week, especially Saturday, if the weather is nice. — Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026 What may shock the layman, though, is that all three of those schools also have strong baseball programs as well. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026 Redick said Vanderbilt required what is called a reduction; which in layman’s terms, is maneuvering the bone back into it’s socket. — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 6 May 2026 Some prominent conservative Catholic laymen, like Fox News host Sean Hannity, have risen to Trump’s defense. — W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for layman

Recent Examples of Synonyms for layman

Noun

The 16-year-old New Zealand amateur successfully defends her title, closing with a 6-under 64 for her fourth win in 14 professional events.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Lydia Ko, the 2013 winner at Royal Mayfair as an amateur, was 2 under after a 69.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of amateur

Noun

When an experiment fails, the tinkerer does not collapse emotionally.

— Lintao "LT" Lu, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
In the coming months, the company plans to add more functionality and self-serve features to allow a wider range of use cases and users, eventually reaching individual tinkerers.

— Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of tinkerer

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lay low

layman

laymen

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“Layman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layman. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of layman

noun

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