dark horses

noun

plural of dark horse
1
as in stalking horses

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in long shots

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dark horses
  1. competitors
  2. plays
  3. favorites
  4. contestants
  5. entrants
  6. qualifiers
  7. entries
  8. candidates
Noun
  • The Cook Mixer then selects which competitors will step forward and take on the challenge.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Apotheke Bergamot Tangerine Candle Unlike its competitors, Apotheke uses 15–18% fragrance oils (more than three times the amount commonly used in scented candles).
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of competitors
Noun
  • Sometimes, maybe once in every eight plays, the track scans as pure camp to me.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The phone encounters were conceived before the pandemic, but once quarantine began, the idea of entertaining people through interactive phone plays really began to pick up steam.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of plays
Noun
  • To determine the best places to eat on the fairgrounds, our friends at The News & Observer asked readers to nominate their favorites.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Sure, a big backlog of your spooky favorites can be a joy, but keeping up with this slate can feel like a chore.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of favorites
Noun
  • While traditional family recipes and regional specialities are at the heart of the competition, contestants are pushed outside their comfort zones through challenges inspired by fine dining, street food and international cuisines.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • In the long-running web series, hosts interview everyday consumers on the street and then negotiate massive product discounts directly with company bosses, securing bargains for contestants.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of contestants
Noun
  • Over the years, competition has built from new entrants to the luxury hotel market in Como, but its hold on guests might have something to do with the Buchers’ attention to service.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The private-label gap tends to close quickly, and early entrants often undercut the brand that proved the category.
    — Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of entrants
Noun
  • For the first time in quite a while, the western and eastern Europe qualifiers have been merged into one super qualifier, featuring top teams from both regions.
    — Mike Stubbs, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Definition of qualifiers
Noun
  • Apply the same technique to other theme answers, relying on the crossing entries for help.
    — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Modi's party and the Election Commission say the revision is aimed at removing duplicate and ineligible entries while ensuring eligible voters remain registered.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of entries
Noun
  • The potential candidates will also hear more cynical arguments in favor of running no matter what.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Kristin Pawlik and Wendy Howerton garnered the most votes among the three candidates in the March nonpartisan judicial race, but neither got more than the 50% required to win outright.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of candidates
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.

Browse Nearby Words

dark horse
dark horses
darkish
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Cite this Entry

“Dark horses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dark%20horses. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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