as in candidates
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award
a debate between the two aspirants for the highest office
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Recent Examples of aspirants
These protagonists were classic show-business aspirants who, having come to Los Angeles to be within grasping distance of their dreams, fell, in the interim, into service work.
—
Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
For example, take a gander at the aspirants lining up to run for Chicago mayor in 2027 (or at least the ones who are looking to be boldface names).
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Despite many aspirants and imitators, there really hasn’t been anything like it since.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, both incumbent members of Congress and aspirants will be running in districts that have been radically gerrymandered to shrink Republicans’ tiny delegation even more, as Democrats seek to regain control of Congress.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
Presidential aspirants trashed Senate Democrats who crossed the aisle to support the measure.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
There are also seven private villas—airy, palatial, ideal for families or James Bond aspirants—along with an expansion set to be unveiled in 2026.
—David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Both men reflect a cohort of youthful African aspirants aiming to ride popular disenchantments with governments to high office.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Intoxicated by the attention—and the presence of the wannabe tragedienne Gloria (a sinuous, Kurt Weill–crooning Greta Lee)—Saxberger nevertheless must reckon with the authenticity of this newfound circle of aspirants.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
For example, take a gander at the aspirants lining up to run for Chicago mayor in 2027 (or at least the ones who are looking to be boldface names).
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Despite many aspirants and imitators, there really hasn’t been anything like it since.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, both incumbent members of Congress and aspirants will be running in districts that have been radically gerrymandered to shrink Republicans’ tiny delegation even more, as Democrats seek to regain control of Congress.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
Presidential aspirants trashed Senate Democrats who crossed the aisle to support the measure.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
There are also seven private villas—airy, palatial, ideal for families or James Bond aspirants—along with an expansion set to be unveiled in 2026.
—David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Both men reflect a cohort of youthful African aspirants aiming to ride popular disenchantments with governments to high office.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Intoxicated by the attention—and the presence of the wannabe tragedienne Gloria (a sinuous, Kurt Weill–crooning Greta Lee)—Saxberger nevertheless must reckon with the authenticity of this newfound circle of aspirants.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspirants
Noun
-
Other Democratic Senate candidates have mentioned tariffs to a lesser extent.—
Taylor Millard,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Just months remaining until the California gubernatorial election, and CBS California is teaming up with local organizations for a live debate with the race's top candidates.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Speculation about Tavares’ status with the city began after a LinkedIn job posting seeking applicants for the city’s election commissioner surfaced this week.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Additionally, in the past year, board members have spent countless hours searching for a permanent CPS superintendent only to watch the process melt down as applicants withdrew their names and CTU and the mayor meddled.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Typically some time in January, the composer begins researching top awards contenders and toying with recognizable melodies from their scores.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The 98th Academy Awards are set to be awarded this weekend, and Sacramento is well-represented among contenders for the top prize of the night.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aspirants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspirants. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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