as in candidates
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award
have numerous applicants for the job
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Recent Examples of applicants
Lawmakers kept in a provision that would require applicants for public benefits to have their citizenship status verified through a Department of Homeland Security-run database before being approved to receive benefits.
—
Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
None set out at the beginning of high school seeking a path that leads to MIT, which accepts only about five students for every 100 applicants.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
In some cases, older applicants can receive a waiver to join the military.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
But Harvard isn’t alone in driving demand—and the composition of this year’s list suggests that prestige reigns supreme in the minds of most applicants.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Espinosa said the agency cannot estimate how many people may ultimately be affected, noting that applicants can demonstrate eligibility in several different ways.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
That state of California is seeking applicants for full-time positions in fields including transportation, State Air Resources Board and water resources.
—Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
The legislation now requires federal agencies to screen applicants for ties to countries of concern — China, Russia, Iran and North Korea — with mandatory disclosure of foreign affiliations, pre-award screening, and post-award reporting.
—Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026
In recent years, CPS has struggled to recruit applicants.
—Hope Moses, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
None set out at the beginning of high school seeking a path that leads to MIT, which accepts only about five students for every 100 applicants.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
In some cases, older applicants can receive a waiver to join the military.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
But Harvard isn’t alone in driving demand—and the composition of this year’s list suggests that prestige reigns supreme in the minds of most applicants.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Espinosa said the agency cannot estimate how many people may ultimately be affected, noting that applicants can demonstrate eligibility in several different ways.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
That state of California is seeking applicants for full-time positions in fields including transportation, State Air Resources Board and water resources.
—Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
The legislation now requires federal agencies to screen applicants for ties to countries of concern — China, Russia, Iran and North Korea — with mandatory disclosure of foreign affiliations, pre-award screening, and post-award reporting.
—Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026
In recent years, CPS has struggled to recruit applicants.
—Hope Moses, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for applicants
candidates
Noun
-
Austin-Gatson emphasized that Georgia's current system — primaries followed by general elections — allows voters to better evaluate candidates and ensures fairness in the process.—
CBS Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Robbins took home about 31%, and two other candidates split the rest.—
Ryan Oehrli,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Applicants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applicants. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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