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
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
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
Republicans and Democrats were starkly divided over the state’s sanctuary laws, with GOP candidates arguing the policy endangers public safety while Democrats defended protections for undocumented immigrants.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Plus, the vast majority of respondents believe younger candidates for office are not taken seriously.
—Elena Moore, NPR, 7 May 2026
But eventually, the candidates turned on each other, and particularly on Becerra.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
The Idaho Statesman surveyed candidates on priorities including healthcare, budget cuts and immigration, with responses available in its Voter Guide.
—Idaho Statesman, 7 May 2026
The field includes progressive Democratic candidates Tom Steyer and Katie Porter competing against more moderate contenders Xavier Becerra and Matt Mahan, as well as Antonio Villaraigosa and Tony Thurmond.
—Anne Bryson, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
The Supportive Housing Network of New York (the Network) and our more than 200 nonprofit members statewide that develop and provide supportive housing, along with our tenant community, should be a resource for candidates.
—Pascale Leone, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025
Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
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
Republicans and Democrats were starkly divided over the state’s sanctuary laws, with GOP candidates arguing the policy endangers public safety while Democrats defended protections for undocumented immigrants.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Plus, the vast majority of respondents believe younger candidates for office are not taken seriously.
—Elena Moore, NPR, 7 May 2026
But eventually, the candidates turned on each other, and particularly on Becerra.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
The Idaho Statesman surveyed candidates on priorities including healthcare, budget cuts and immigration, with responses available in its Voter Guide.
—Idaho Statesman, 7 May 2026
The field includes progressive Democratic candidates Tom Steyer and Katie Porter competing against more moderate contenders Xavier Becerra and Matt Mahan, as well as Antonio Villaraigosa and Tony Thurmond.
—Anne Bryson, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
The Supportive Housing Network of New York (the Network) and our more than 200 nonprofit members statewide that develop and provide supportive housing, along with our tenant community, should be a resource for candidates.
—Pascale Leone, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for candidates
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
Noun
-
Republican officeholders and hopefuls are still more likely to fret about the president in private than criticize him in public.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
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Typically, many hopefuls either cheered or were on dance teams in college.—
Lisa Gutierrez
May 6,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Candidates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/candidates. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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