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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of candidates
The two candidates who advance to the general election would be wise to offer Californians a hope for the future that doesn’t call back to our yesterdays.
—
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026
Becerra went from polling in the single digits before the fallout in early April to being among the top gubernatorial candidates.
—James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Even Chanel, a 115-year-old luxury house synonymous with heritage and exclusivity, is looking past credentials to assess who candidates actually are.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 14 May 2026
And until June 12, when the congressional candidates must qualify to be on the ballot, voters will have no idea who is running.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 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
So far, there are three other candidates.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2025
In Winnetka School District 36, four candidates are competing for three seats on the School Board.
—Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
High-quality vaccine candidates were in late-stage trials.
—John Green, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2025
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026
Becerra went from polling in the single digits before the fallout in early April to being among the top gubernatorial candidates.
—James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Even Chanel, a 115-year-old luxury house synonymous with heritage and exclusivity, is looking past credentials to assess who candidates actually are.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 14 May 2026
And until June 12, when the congressional candidates must qualify to be on the ballot, voters will have no idea who is running.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 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
So far, there are three other candidates.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2025
In Winnetka School District 36, four candidates are competing for three seats on the School Board.
—Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
High-quality vaccine candidates were in late-stage trials.
—John Green, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for candidates
Noun
-
But the 2023 decision promulgated the racist myth that the plaintiffs had been rejected in favor of less qualified Black and Brown applicants.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
-
The difference in median MCAT scores between the white and Black applicants accepted at UCLA, Simpson points out, could be as few as seven answers on a test with 230 questions.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Barring an Eric Swalwell-style blow-up, the top three — Becerra, Steyer and Hilton — are really the only true contenders.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
Three contenders for the Republican nomination are advocating for even more aggressive tax relief while oil prices are riding high.—
Morgan Lee,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Key Netflix films have gotten short runs in theaters before, such as Rian Johnson’s Knives Out movies and awards hopefuls.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2026
-
Any number of East hopefuls could go after him.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Candidates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/candidates. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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