candidates

noun

plural of candidate
as in applicants
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award each candidate for town council was allowed to speak at the candidates' forum

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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 candidates There’s been a lot of talk about candidates being authentic, being relatable. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 3 Nov. 2026 Other smaller-name candidates also saw their petitions challenged. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026 Remarkably, pollsters say Democrats have a puncher’s shot at pulling it off, thanks in no small part to Schumer’s aggressive campaign to recruit solid candidates. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026 Its flagship program — the master of arts in fashion design — now attracts 350 candidates for every 20 positions in garment design, Romatet said. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026 Trump’s wish is going to have profoundly negative effects on dozens of Republican candidates’ chances, including Donalds. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026 Both candidates for governor are campaigning across Florida in the final hours. — Anna McAllister, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026 The candidates have previously taken sharply different positions on transgender participation in female sports. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026 That’s thanks to two Democratic incumbents running more strongly than expected in more conservative districts, but also to candidates like Garcia, who’s running neck-and-neck against his GOP rival. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for candidates
  1. applicants
  2. contenders
  3. hopefuls
Noun
  • For next year’s admissions, institutions would have to publish more detailed selection criteria and explain rejections when applicants request reasons.
    — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Apparently desperate to expand its pool of applicants, the FBI is now actually considering individuals who have documented histories of animal abuse and bestiality.
    — Diana Urban, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of applicants
Noun
  • And the way the French election works is that there’s a first round for the Presidential contenders and then the two front-runners go forward.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Among the contenders was the 38-year-old New Zealander then best known for the miniseries Reilly, Ace of Spies and Omen III — and still seven years away from Jurassic Park.
    — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of contenders
Noun
  • The former Milwaukee star scored 71 points in the first two games combined, but the Heat weren’t even competitive against two playoff hopefuls (Minnesota and Detroit).
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Fourteen candidates filed on the last day for 2027 hopefuls to turn in their nominating petitions, as mayoral candidates lugged in their stacks of signatures with some personal flair.
    — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of hopefuls

Browse Nearby Words

candidate
candidates
candidly
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Cite this Entry

“Candidates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/candidates. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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