as in tinkerer
a person who regularly or occasionally engages in an activity as a pastime rather than as a profession
he was a dabbler, learning the basics of many arts but mastering none
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Recent Examples of dabbler
Supporters had campaigned for Merlin to be allowed into the Azteca to witness Mexico’s final group game — but the dabbler found his free passage impeded on Wednesday evening by FIFA regulations.
—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
26 June 2026
In 1937, Stalin, himself a former dabbler in the language, reversed course on Esperanto and herded its speakers into gulags on account of its internationalist appeal.
—
Katie Thornton,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
Some CEOs are using tokens to track how their teams are deploying AI, from the productive tokenmaxers overhauling their departments to the tone-deaf dabblers squandering compute on useless projects.
—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
20 May 2026
Not dabblers in the slave trade, tycoons of the slave trade.
—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dabbler
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
26 June 2026
In 1937, Stalin, himself a former dabbler in the language, reversed course on Esperanto and herded its speakers into gulags on account of its internationalist appeal.
—
Katie Thornton,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
Some CEOs are using tokens to track how their teams are deploying AI, from the productive tokenmaxers overhauling their departments to the tone-deaf dabblers squandering compute on useless projects.
—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
20 May 2026
Not dabblers in the slave trade, tycoons of the slave trade.
—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dabbler
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dabbler
Noun
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Sholes, a printer and newspaper editor, was a bit of a tinkerer.
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The 19th-century patent system rewarded tinkerers; corporate labs scaled systematic research; wartime partnerships mobilized national resources; and venture capital democratized risk-taking.
Noun
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Thinking otherwise is the mistake of amateurs and dilettantes.
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There are two weeks to go before the MLB amateur draft July 11-14.
Noun
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In addition, its luxury pricing will turn off many hobbyists and content creators who are scrabbling to make ends meet.
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The surge in demand for Beyblade has seen hobbyists lining up outside toy shops in Taiwan and Hong Kong, with some traveling as far as Japan to get their hands on the rarest models, which are being resold for up to $80 by scalpers online, 10 times more than the original price.
Cite this Entry
“Dabbler.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dabbler. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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