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
  • In an already cluttered marketplace, Nava Ventures partner Kevin Chenault is convinced that this experience separates Cyclops from its competitors.
    — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 15 July 2026
  • This reflects the understanding that decades-old ownership restrictions that apply only to broadcasters — and none of our competitors — are out of step with today’s media marketplace.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 15 July 2026
Definition of competitors
Noun
  • Dash forward Kalyssa van Zanten had two golden opportunities to find the back of the net right before halftime, with both plays looking very similar.
    — Spencer Baldwin, Denver Post, 13 July 2026
  • Gaitley said the Nets have worked with him this summer on increasing his physicality, getting into the paint and finishing or making plays.
    — C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 12 July 2026
Definition of plays
Noun
  • The Greek myths are rife with petty and meddlesome deities squabbling, playing favorites, punishing harshly, and otherwise wreaking havoc on the lives of mortal men.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • The casual menu ranges from breakfast favorites like avocado toast and biscuits to hearty bowls, salads, sandwiches, and shareable bites.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2026
Definition of favorites
Noun
  • The main studio is Room 1, and all the contestants start there, competing to accurately count the grains in a bag of rice.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 July 2026
  • With opportunities to earn money, buy properties and negotiate deals, the contestants must work to stay afloat as the bankrupt players get eliminated, with only one player left standing.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 13 July 2026
Definition of contestants
Noun
  • Today, the nation spends billions to screen entrants using cutting-edge biometric tools, and thousands of Customs and Border Protection officers are stationed at every international airport and port of entry in the country.
    — Amanda Frost, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
  • New entrants without that track record face a very different market — smaller, less marketable targets, and deal terms for both the IPO and de-SPAC financing that reflect the skepticism of a capital base that learned expensive lessons not long ago.
    — Drew Bernstein, Forbes.com, 30 June 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
  • Customers can also expect certified angus beef, prepared sides, salads and entries that are available daily.
    — Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • Dead Meat and Hades will jointly evaluate entries while also taking the Dead Meat audience’s feedback into consideration.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
Definition of entries
Noun
  • Back then, the imperial family was bigger and incorporated other collateral branches, known as Oke, which offered a pool of candidates if the main bloodline failed to produce an heir.
    — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • Even candidates who have merely been endorsed by progressive organizations have sought to draw distinctions.
    — Nik Popli, Time, 13 July 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.

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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 19 Jul. 2026.

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