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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hopefuls
Anxiety over the cost of living, the state of the economy and access to health care have dominated conversations along the campaign trail for Bottoms and the rest of the crowd of Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls.
—
Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 13 May 2026
Still, all populist-right political hopefuls and their supporters have perverse incentives to fight the culture war rather than focus on running a campaign.
—Conor Friedersdorf, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
Nebraska 2nd District The leading Democratic hopefuls in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District have been battling over whether one candidate's campaign damages the party's competitiveness in the area.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Officials warn festival hopefuls to avoid scalpers and to join the wait list through the DICE platform.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026
Five Republican hopefuls will be on the ballot, including Buddy Carter, Mike Collins, John Coyne, Derek Dooley and Jonathan McColumn.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Herman snagged the roster spot over other tryout hopefuls like Miami native Romello Brinson and former Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos, both working out as wide receivers.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
True, there’s no pyrotechnic personality in the expansive field of gubernatorial hopefuls.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Recipients of the prestigious award in recent years include other eventual Academy hopefuls, including Anora director Sean Baker, Anatomy of a Fall director Justine Triet, and Triangle of Sadness director Ruben Östlund.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 8 May 2026
Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 13 May 2026
Still, all populist-right political hopefuls and their supporters have perverse incentives to fight the culture war rather than focus on running a campaign.
—Conor Friedersdorf, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
Nebraska 2nd District The leading Democratic hopefuls in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District have been battling over whether one candidate's campaign damages the party's competitiveness in the area.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Officials warn festival hopefuls to avoid scalpers and to join the wait list through the DICE platform.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026
Five Republican hopefuls will be on the ballot, including Buddy Carter, Mike Collins, John Coyne, Derek Dooley and Jonathan McColumn.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Herman snagged the roster spot over other tryout hopefuls like Miami native Romello Brinson and former Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos, both working out as wide receivers.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
True, there’s no pyrotechnic personality in the expansive field of gubernatorial hopefuls.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Recipients of the prestigious award in recent years include other eventual Academy hopefuls, including Anora director Sean Baker, Anatomy of a Fall director Justine Triet, and Triangle of Sadness director Ruben Östlund.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopefuls
Noun
-
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
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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
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
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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
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Applications can be submitted year-round, and applicants will know if they have been accepted within two months of applying.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
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Previously, there was no special consideration given to applicants who had lived or worked in the county.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hopefuls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopefuls. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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