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
Other Democratic Senate candidates have mentioned tariffs to a lesser extent.
—
Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Just months remaining until the California gubernatorial election, and CBS California is teaming up with local organizations for a live debate with the race's top candidates.
—CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
In the first committeeperson race since Keith Pekau lost control his bid for reelection as Orland Park mayor, two candidates face off in hopes of directing how the Republican Party moves forward in Orland Township.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
New research from the career platform Zety shows that 1 in 5 Gen Z candidates have brought a parent to a job interview, and some are even letting mom or dad negotiate their salary.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
There were more than a dozen candidates buying for Marjorie Taylor Green's seat.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Among all 2026 Senate candidates this election cycle, Krishnamoorthi was second in fundraising only to Democrat Jon Ossoff of Georgia, according to Federal Election Commission data.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Save Boca candidates control a majority of council seats, and the organization was Pearlman’s creation, so Grau and Sipple largely owe their success to their affiliation with him.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
The 2020 Democratic presidential primary, the party's last open nominating contest, featured a rush to the left as candidates raced to embrace far-reaching ideas including Medicare-for-all, the Green New Deal and aggressive taxes on billionaires.
—Jeff Stein The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2026
Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Just months remaining until the California gubernatorial election, and CBS California is teaming up with local organizations for a live debate with the race's top candidates.
—CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
In the first committeeperson race since Keith Pekau lost control his bid for reelection as Orland Park mayor, two candidates face off in hopes of directing how the Republican Party moves forward in Orland Township.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
New research from the career platform Zety shows that 1 in 5 Gen Z candidates have brought a parent to a job interview, and some are even letting mom or dad negotiate their salary.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
There were more than a dozen candidates buying for Marjorie Taylor Green's seat.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Among all 2026 Senate candidates this election cycle, Krishnamoorthi was second in fundraising only to Democrat Jon Ossoff of Georgia, according to Federal Election Commission data.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Save Boca candidates control a majority of council seats, and the organization was Pearlman’s creation, so Grau and Sipple largely owe their success to their affiliation with him.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
The 2020 Democratic presidential primary, the party's last open nominating contest, featured a rush to the left as candidates raced to embrace far-reaching ideas including Medicare-for-all, the Green New Deal and aggressive taxes on billionaires.
—Jeff Stein The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for candidates
Noun
-
The legislation now requires federal agencies to screen applicants for ties to countries of concern — China, Russia, Iran and North Korea — with mandatory disclosure of foreign affiliations, pre-award screening, and post-award reporting.—
Noelle Harff,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The 218 juried fine artists were chosen from a pool of 1,000 national and international applicants; the other three are emerging artists.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Typically some time in January, the composer begins researching top awards contenders and toying with recognizable melodies from their scores.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The 98th Academy Awards are set to be awarded this weekend, and Sacramento is well-represented among contenders for the top prize of the night.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Three likelier bullpen hopefuls, Cade Winquest, Jake Bird and Kervin Castro, all threw an inning on Tuesday.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2026
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Former Illinois Republican Party Chair Don Tracy will face Stratton in November, defeating five other hopefuls.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Candidates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/candidates. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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