aspirants

noun

plural of aspirant
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of aspirants And lawmakers from states newer to the early-primary lineup are already preparing to elevate what matters to their constituents, as they get wooed by presidential aspirants. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026 The far left is having a moment, and Democratic presidential aspirants are no doubt watching. — Wendy R. Anderson, Washington Post, 7 Aug. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspirants
  1. candidates
  2. applicants
  3. contenders
Noun
  • The potential candidates will also hear more cynical arguments in favor of running no matter what.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Kristin Pawlik and Wendy Howerton garnered the most votes among the three candidates in the March nonpartisan judicial race, but neither got more than the 50% required to win outright.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of candidates
Noun
  • When the cast visited Japan in March 2025, Mystery Channel hosted a special event attended by 270 lucky fans chosen from applicants nationwide, giving them the opportunity to meet and interact with the cast.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The process will work by Watrfall execs reviewing every submission and responding to applicants within six weeks.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of applicants
Noun
  • In a defining game that many thought would expose problems masked by UCLA’s early-season success, the Bruins — though imperfect — vociferously announced their arrival to the college football world as legitimate playoff contenders.
    — Elias Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
  • By the end of spring, four main contenders emerged in sophomores Buchanan and SJ Alofaituli and freshmen Congdon and Jackson Cantwell.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of contenders

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Cite this Entry

“Aspirants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspirants. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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