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
Then there is the Macuga family of Park City, Utah, whose three sisters all became Olympic hopefuls without ever intending to.
—
NBC news, 20 Jan. 2026
After the talent show portion of the day, which sees MML hopefuls perform acoustic renditions of love songs and dance the salsa, comes their first lap-dancing lesson.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2026
With Shapiro, Harris, and Buttigieg all on a list of potential presidential hopefuls in 2028, the vice-presidential selection process from 2024 is reemerging at a key moment.
—Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
Four years ago, the first Chicago mayoral hopefuls were months away from announcing their campaigns.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
Looking back on the audition process, Whalen shared that many of the hopefuls believed one actor had the role locked down already.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
For those England hopefuls eyeing up a late run into Thomas Tuchel’s squad for this summer’s World Cup, there is always the hope that, in football, fortunes can quickly change.
—Rob Tanner, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
But before the awards were handed out and rousing acceptance speeches were delivered (which could make all the difference for Oscar hopefuls), all the fashion, outfits, and looks from the Golden Globes red carpet 2026 kicked off the night.
—Maggie Coughlan, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
It’s been a busy week for awards nominations, and now the Producers Guild of America is out with its hopefuls for the PGA Awards spanning film and TV.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026
NBC news, 20 Jan. 2026
After the talent show portion of the day, which sees MML hopefuls perform acoustic renditions of love songs and dance the salsa, comes their first lap-dancing lesson.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2026
With Shapiro, Harris, and Buttigieg all on a list of potential presidential hopefuls in 2028, the vice-presidential selection process from 2024 is reemerging at a key moment.
—Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
Four years ago, the first Chicago mayoral hopefuls were months away from announcing their campaigns.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
Looking back on the audition process, Whalen shared that many of the hopefuls believed one actor had the role locked down already.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
For those England hopefuls eyeing up a late run into Thomas Tuchel’s squad for this summer’s World Cup, there is always the hope that, in football, fortunes can quickly change.
—Rob Tanner, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
But before the awards were handed out and rousing acceptance speeches were delivered (which could make all the difference for Oscar hopefuls), all the fashion, outfits, and looks from the Golden Globes red carpet 2026 kicked off the night.
—Maggie Coughlan, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
It’s been a busy week for awards nominations, and now the Producers Guild of America is out with its hopefuls for the PGA Awards spanning film and TV.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopefuls
Noun
-
Outside candidates could include Rams pass rush coordinator Drew Wilkins and former Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The Steelers requested interviews with nearly a dozen candidates, several of whom have been hired for other jobs already.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Many of the Oscar contenders for best picture will return to the big screen before Hollywood’s biggest night.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
-
This year’s contenders are Leon Thomas, Olivia Dean, Katseye, the Marías, Addison Rae, Sombr, Alex Warren and Lola Young.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The number of applicants has declined significantly compared to a decade ago, Martinez said.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Housing officials are urging interested applicants to begin talking with their loan officers now, who can help guide them through the application process.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hopefuls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopefuls. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
