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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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 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
  • Remote workers can stay longer with the 12-Month Barbados Welcome Stamp, which lets eligible applicants live and work remotely on the island for a year.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Applications to the school do not require applicants to disclose prior criminal convictions, the person said.
    — Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 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
  • Roughly 40 board hopefuls are competing across 20 district races, and three more are vying for board president.
    — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Film Festival kicks off its 67th edition this week with an eclectic lineup of festival favorites, Oscar hopefuls and homegrown films that showcase the range and dynamism of the Greek industry.
    — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of hopefuls

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candidate
candidates
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Cite this Entry

“Candidates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/candidates. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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