as in amateurs
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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Recent Examples of laymen
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
The pipeline will provide up to 185,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas, an industry term that Fore admitted was difficult to explain for laymen.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Both professionals and laymen have developed an interest in tracking litigation because of the broad range of industries and people affected by the administration’s changes, experts and media professionals said.
—Surina Venkat, The Hill, 1 Jan. 2026
But laymen may be wondering, why are the writers so upset?
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
For laymen, these molecules are involved in chemical reactions that lead to more complex molecules essential to organic life.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025
There’s a citizen science element as well—laymen can sign up for a laboratory experience that involves helping the team count microplastics found in water samples, or preparing bait for an underwater camera that documents local wildlife.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Mar. 2022
W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2026
The pipeline will provide up to 185,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas, an industry term that Fore admitted was difficult to explain for laymen.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Both professionals and laymen have developed an interest in tracking litigation because of the broad range of industries and people affected by the administration’s changes, experts and media professionals said.
—Surina Venkat, The Hill, 1 Jan. 2026
But laymen may be wondering, why are the writers so upset?
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
For laymen, these molecules are involved in chemical reactions that lead to more complex molecules essential to organic life.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025
There’s a citizen science element as well—laymen can sign up for a laboratory experience that involves helping the team count microplastics found in water samples, or preparing bait for an underwater camera that documents local wildlife.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Mar. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laymen
Noun
-
The amateurs approached questions with an open mind, were less sure of their initial conclusions, and considered a wider range of evidence before committing to an answer.—
Bryce Hoffman,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
-
The cast and crew comprise both amateurs and professionals.—
Pamela Brown,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The 19th-century patent system rewarded tinkerers; corporate labs scaled systematic research; wartime partnerships mobilized national resources; and venture capital democratized risk-taking.—
David H. Hsu,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
-
Unlike her earlier Fame Monster remixes, which served utilitarian club fodder to capitalize on her debut, Dawn delightfully surrendered its source material to a wise cast of pop, rap, and dance tinkerers like Ashnikko and Dorian Electra.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laymen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laymen. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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