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
  • At the same time, applicants must complete a detailed background questionnaire that includes questions about previous adverse employment, adverse military service, and past criminal history – and certify that their answers are truthful.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The closed-door, off-the-record, noncompetitive summit opened to applicants in May, later unfolding from September 17-21.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of applicants
Noun
  • If true, Turner beat out likely contenders including Callum Turner and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
    — Redazione Show, Vanity Fair, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Two of the contenders are first features from women filmmakers.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of contenders
Noun
  • Political leaders are calling for national Democratic support in Southern states to increase before the next presidential contest, and for 2028 hopefuls to prioritize black voter outreach.
    — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Nov. 2026
  • That capped a busy trade-deadline season in which other playoff hopefuls did their heavy lifting days or even weeks before Tuesday afternoon’s cutoff.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 10 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 12 Nov. 2026.

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