as in amateurs
a person who regularly or occasionally engages in an activity as a pastime rather than as a profession
he's been tinkering with cars since he was a kid, and now he's a tinkerer who knows nearly as much as a mechanic
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tinkerers
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
The Mac mini has become a status symbol among AI tinkerers, and some analysts say the device’s growing popularity may preface a broader shift in how people use computers.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
Rather than targeting end users, the company aims to empower developers, researchers, and tinkerers to create breakthrough humanoid applications without building full robots from scratch.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
Dedicated sports engineers and tinkerers alike continue to fine tune specialized skate designs.
—Mark Hay, Popular Science, 28 Jan. 2026
Micron’s Crucial brand sold memory on sticks that tinkerers could use to build their own PCs or upgrade their laptops.
—Kif Leswing, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2025
The Ringbrothers Kingpin was unveiled at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show (SEMA) in Las Vegas, which is a haven for aftermarket wizards, tuners, and auto tinkerers of all stripes.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2025
The printer works best with its own software and accessories, which could frustrate tinkerers who prefer open systems.
—PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
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
The Mac mini has become a status symbol among AI tinkerers, and some analysts say the device’s growing popularity may preface a broader shift in how people use computers.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
Rather than targeting end users, the company aims to empower developers, researchers, and tinkerers to create breakthrough humanoid applications without building full robots from scratch.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
Dedicated sports engineers and tinkerers alike continue to fine tune specialized skate designs.
—Mark Hay, Popular Science, 28 Jan. 2026
Micron’s Crucial brand sold memory on sticks that tinkerers could use to build their own PCs or upgrade their laptops.
—Kif Leswing, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2025
The Ringbrothers Kingpin was unveiled at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show (SEMA) in Las Vegas, which is a haven for aftermarket wizards, tuners, and auto tinkerers of all stripes.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2025
The printer works best with its own software and accessories, which could frustrate tinkerers who prefer open systems.
—PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tinkerers
Noun
-
Most American soccer fans wouldn’t hesitate in saying that the United States winning the World Cup would clearly be a much bigger shock than the group of literal amateurs upsetting the greatest ice hockey team on watch at the 1980 winter games.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
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Deep passion for chess Russia has a deep and proud chess tradition, and amateurs can be seen hunched over boards on pavements and in parks at virtually all times of the year.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Deciding between the two styles ultimately comes down to personal preference, although many hobbyists claim that framed kites are better for tricks, while foil kites are more portable and harder to damage.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
12 June 2026
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Agile quadruped arrives Q8botOne is an upcoming open-source quadruped robot developed by Eric Wu to make advanced legged robotics more accessible to hobbyists, students, researchers, and developers.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tinkerers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tinkerers. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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