as in candidates
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award
the three mayoral hopefuls are going to debate on local TV
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 hopefuls
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
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
Leading hopefuls — including San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert and three-time congressional candidate Ammar Campa-Najjar — were making a last-minute push to turn out supporters.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
Newcomer Annie Fischer faces incumbent Paul Keefer for the District 3 seat, while hopefuls Dominique Donette, Ralph Merletti, Anna Molander Hermann and Davon Thomas compete to represent District 1, where longtime trustee Bina Lefkovitz is not running for reelection.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
One of the hopefuls is And Justice for All, a series based on the 1979 movie starring Al Pacino, Deadline has learned.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 June 2026
Some of it had to do with horrible tragedy, some because hopefuls could not see the math working out for them.
—Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
The acting hopefuls almost always come exclusively from those shows.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Top of mind for many board hopefuls were CPS budget cuts and the district’s looming $732 million deficit.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2026
Ryan Carter, Daily News, 3 June 2026
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
Leading hopefuls — including San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert and three-time congressional candidate Ammar Campa-Najjar — were making a last-minute push to turn out supporters.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
Newcomer Annie Fischer faces incumbent Paul Keefer for the District 3 seat, while hopefuls Dominique Donette, Ralph Merletti, Anna Molander Hermann and Davon Thomas compete to represent District 1, where longtime trustee Bina Lefkovitz is not running for reelection.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
One of the hopefuls is And Justice for All, a series based on the 1979 movie starring Al Pacino, Deadline has learned.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 June 2026
Some of it had to do with horrible tragedy, some because hopefuls could not see the math working out for them.
—Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
The acting hopefuls almost always come exclusively from those shows.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Top of mind for many board hopefuls were CPS budget cuts and the district’s looming $732 million deficit.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopefuls
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
Ferrandis, 31 and from France, is considered the longshot of the seven contenders.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
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
-
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
-
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
Video
Hopefully
We believe the popular usage of this word is correct
Cite this Entry
“Hopefuls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopefuls. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
