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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Recent Examples of candidates
Carlos Eduardo Espina just might be one of the most in-demand influencers in Democratic politics -- so much so that those widely seen as possible 2028 presidential candidates have invited him to collaborate or to their events in the hopes of being exposed to his nearly 20 million followers.
—
Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
The first is that the élite obsession with shaping national politics, and with getting candidates elected, is a distraction.
—Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Supervisor races are officially nonpartisan, but this race pits high-profile candidates from both parties in a district with a Republican lean.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
Troye is among a handful of Democratic candidates nationwide with former ties to Trump who have launched campaigns on an anti-Trump platform.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
The two candidates with the most votes in a first round advance to the runoff on June 7.
—Franklin Briceño, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
The survey, which was conducted April 14 and 15 by Emerson College Polling, decides the field of candidates appearing at next week’s Inside California Politics governor’s debate.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
While other candidates’ fundraising pace has fallen off dramatically, we are just getting started.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
There are candidates on the bench to still crack the postseason rotation if needed, too.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
The first is that the élite obsession with shaping national politics, and with getting candidates elected, is a distraction.
—Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Supervisor races are officially nonpartisan, but this race pits high-profile candidates from both parties in a district with a Republican lean.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
Troye is among a handful of Democratic candidates nationwide with former ties to Trump who have launched campaigns on an anti-Trump platform.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
The two candidates with the most votes in a first round advance to the runoff on June 7.
—Franklin Briceño, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
The survey, which was conducted April 14 and 15 by Emerson College Polling, decides the field of candidates appearing at next week’s Inside California Politics governor’s debate.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
While other candidates’ fundraising pace has fallen off dramatically, we are just getting started.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
There are candidates on the bench to still crack the postseason rotation if needed, too.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for candidates
Noun
-
Gun applicants must be at least 21 years old and go through a rigorous medical clearance and background check process.—
Robert McGreevy,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Much of the recruiting shortfall has been tied to a shrinking pool of qualified applicants.—
Steven Beynon,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The talk revolved around Eric Swalwell, the 45-year-old congressman from the East Bay and one of the top Democratic contenders for California governor.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Progressives want the party to adopt official language that all Democratic presidential contenders oppose money from dark-money groups, or super PACs that aren't required to disclose their donors.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Making that case will take work, but he is widely viewed as a possible front runner in the party’s emerging field of presidential hopefuls.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
15 Apr. 2026
-
That way, the state’s substantial liberal voting base gets diluted among a platoon of Democratic hopefuls, pushing the two conservatives into the November runoff.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Candidates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/candidates. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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