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
Some people defended Altman’s business acumen and dismissed his rivals, especially Sutskever and Amodei, as failed aspirants to his throne.
—
Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
That neutrality could come at a cost, some experts say, should the two GOP aspirants prevail.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
This time around, absent Wilson or other prominent Black aspirants, those voters would be likely to vote for Johnson.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Many aspirants, like Yusuf, consider jars of skin lightening cream to be essential, along with access to exclusive gyms and going to the right hair salon.
—Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 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
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
Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
That neutrality could come at a cost, some experts say, should the two GOP aspirants prevail.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
This time around, absent Wilson or other prominent Black aspirants, those voters would be likely to vote for Johnson.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Many aspirants, like Yusuf, consider jars of skin lightening cream to be essential, along with access to exclusive gyms and going to the right hair salon.
—Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspirants
Noun
-
The San Diego Union-Tribune emailed a series of questions to Shaw and other candidates to help inform voters about their positions, priorities and plans if elected.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
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Asked whether Raman’s framing resonated politically, Schnur said many voters tune into the debate primarily to hear candidates discuss policy positions and leadership priorities, making arguments about political maneuvering potentially harder for casual audiences to follow.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Now, the city is seeking applicants interested in filling the now-vacant seat on the council.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
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The Teamsters Rail Conference has been the most vocal group with ties to the merger applicants speaking out against the deal.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The Knicks look like bona fide title contenders.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
-
Fourteen candidates are on the ballot, though only five, including Pratt, are viewed as viable contenders heading into the June 2 primary.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aspirants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspirants. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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