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 Dodgers had Andy Pages, Kyle Tucker and Smith — none of whom were candidates to be pulled for a pinch-hitter — due up in the ninth.
—
Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026
Gleason’s push to make political connections in Idaho, and beyond, appears to revolve around backing candidates who support legislation that helps advance the gold and silver sales and storage industries.
—Kevin Fixler
june 4, Idaho Statesman, 4 June 2026
In criticizing Matsui’s spotlight on Wooden, Vang’s campaign said candidates often use their media page to steer PAC spending without outright coordination from the campaigns.
—Mathew Miranda
june 4, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026
Under California's top-two primary system, the two candidates with the most votes will move on to the November general election, regardless of party affiliation.
—Austin Turner, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Republican Jim Desmond and Democrat Marni von Wilpert were leading other primary candidates by wide margins based on early results, prompting both campaigns to quickly pivot to what could be a bruising fall.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2026
Among the candidates were a former professional soccer player, a comedian, the brother of a deposed ex-President convicted of bribery, a retired general, and a singer-songwriter.
—Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 4 June 2026
Little wonder, then, that so many candidates see an opening.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
Ahead of the June primary election, the Bay Area News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates for California’s superintendent of public instruction.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026
Gleason’s push to make political connections in Idaho, and beyond, appears to revolve around backing candidates who support legislation that helps advance the gold and silver sales and storage industries.
—Kevin Fixler
june 4, Idaho Statesman, 4 June 2026
In criticizing Matsui’s spotlight on Wooden, Vang’s campaign said candidates often use their media page to steer PAC spending without outright coordination from the campaigns.
—Mathew Miranda
june 4, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026
Under California's top-two primary system, the two candidates with the most votes will move on to the November general election, regardless of party affiliation.
—Austin Turner, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Republican Jim Desmond and Democrat Marni von Wilpert were leading other primary candidates by wide margins based on early results, prompting both campaigns to quickly pivot to what could be a bruising fall.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2026
Among the candidates were a former professional soccer player, a comedian, the brother of a deposed ex-President convicted of bribery, a retired general, and a singer-songwriter.
—Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 4 June 2026
Little wonder, then, that so many candidates see an opening.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
Ahead of the June primary election, the Bay Area News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates for California’s superintendent of public instruction.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for candidates
Noun
-
Last year, a university in southern China launched a specialized barbecue school to train grilling experts for the booming night food economy, enrolling only 30 students from more than 4,000 applicants — an acceptance ratio that rivals those of some of China’s most elite university programs.—
Erin Tan,
NBC news,
3 June 2026
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The exact criteria for what makes a Palace hotel are well guarded, but applicants are evaluated on their location, design and appearance, cultural heritage, spa and restaurant venues, and level of service, among other considerations.—
Matt Ortile,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Ferrandis, 31 and from France, is considered the longshot of the seven contenders.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
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Across 2025-26, there are few outstanding contenders — a reflection upon, at least as far as the Premier League is concerned, a Newcastle campaign riddled with inconsistency and underperformance (for the most part).—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
On the Democratic side, hopefuls are Magali Sanchez-Hall, an environmental justice advocate; Fatima Iqbal-Zubair, an advocacy nonprofit manager; Lamar Lyons, Neighborhood Council president; Vinson Eugene Allen, a doctor; and Ayanna Davis, an educator and school board trustee.—
Ryan Carter,
Daily News,
3 June 2026
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The June 16 primary will be to decide which candidate among a separate pool of 11 hopefuls will fill the remainder of this year’s term.—
Kyle Martin,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Candidates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/candidates. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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