EXPECTANTS Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

expectants

noun

plural of expectant

as in candidates

one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award divinity students who were all expectants for a curacy

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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.

Recent Examples of expectants But for the design-minded expectants, choosing items for the registry can feel like a compromise between function and aesthetics. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for expectants

Noun

Forty-four prospective candidates have submitted applications to become the next permanent superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, according to the city agency tasked with vetting those bids.

— Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 29 Sep. 2026
Watchmaking entrants will reinterpret the in-house self-winding automatic 1847 MC movement through that lens, while jewelry candidates are invited to translate an animal’s presence into a brooch.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of candidates

Noun

Investigators also say Whitney reported that there were no scholarship applicants this spring, but three students had applied.

— Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
The applicants had wanted to hold the march in the afternoon with 60 participants.

— Amanda Ferguson Reuters, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of applicants

Noun

Both teams are undefeated and considered national championship contenders.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
These five rising, behind-the-scenes maestros have worked on major hits for such likely 2027 contenders as Noah Kahan, Ariana Grande and Rosalía — and could be first-time nominees in the category.

— Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of contenders

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expectantly

expectants

expectation

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“Expectants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expectants. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of expectants

noun

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