as in candidates
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award
the three mayoral hopefuls are going to debate on local TV
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Recent Examples of hopefuls
These young hopefuls don’t need the burden of a nation’s anger and anxiety.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
Comparing this year’s best picture nominees with previous winners as a way to assess their chances has stood us in good stead before, so once again let’s turn to Oscar history to calculate the odds for this year’s crop of hopefuls.
—Lisa Rosen, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The New Jersey native already had the résumé many WNBA hopefuls dream of, as a former 5-star recruit, two-time AP All-American and three-time first-team All-ACC honoree.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Seeking a rematch, Jensen announced another run for governor last summer, becoming one of a dozen Republican hopefuls.
—Aki Nace, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
The field includes incumbents Harry Bubbins and Janette Williams and new hopefuls Ryan Amos, Jeff Crowe, Cameron Etienne, Michael Sacks, Sam Sharp and Kevin Veno.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Imperfect championship hopefuls now looking around and realizing that maybe the competition isn’t so unbeatable after all.
—Mike Finger, San Antonio Express-News, 5 Feb. 2026
The championship hopefuls from the Fort Worth area could clash with DeSoto in an eventual playoff run.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026
The group's creators plugged six star hopefuls, mostly American but representing different ethnic backgrounds, into HYBE's trainee system, with the express purpose of promoting them in the American market.
—Sheldon Pearce, NPR, 29 Jan. 2026
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
Comparing this year’s best picture nominees with previous winners as a way to assess their chances has stood us in good stead before, so once again let’s turn to Oscar history to calculate the odds for this year’s crop of hopefuls.
—Lisa Rosen, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The New Jersey native already had the résumé many WNBA hopefuls dream of, as a former 5-star recruit, two-time AP All-American and three-time first-team All-ACC honoree.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Seeking a rematch, Jensen announced another run for governor last summer, becoming one of a dozen Republican hopefuls.
—Aki Nace, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
The field includes incumbents Harry Bubbins and Janette Williams and new hopefuls Ryan Amos, Jeff Crowe, Cameron Etienne, Michael Sacks, Sam Sharp and Kevin Veno.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Imperfect championship hopefuls now looking around and realizing that maybe the competition isn’t so unbeatable after all.
—Mike Finger, San Antonio Express-News, 5 Feb. 2026
The championship hopefuls from the Fort Worth area could clash with DeSoto in an eventual playoff run.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026
The group's creators plugged six star hopefuls, mostly American but representing different ethnic backgrounds, into HYBE's trainee system, with the express purpose of promoting them in the American market.
—Sheldon Pearce, NPR, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopefuls
Noun
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Employers increasingly seek candidates who understand AI concepts, can work alongside AI systems, and develop AI solutions.—
Micki Meyer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
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Last year, the moderate Democrat took on a crowded field of candidates in an unsuccessful bid to become New York City mayor.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The John Stockton-Karl Malone teams in 1990s were regular championship contenders, making the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998.—
Mark Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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Beyond those two and Paddack, the Marlins’ rotation contenders include Max Meyer, Braxton Garrett, Janson Junk, Adam Mazur, Ryan Gusto, Robby Snelling, Thomas White, Bradley Blalock and Dax Fulton for the final two spots — and potentially a long relief/swingman role in the bullpen.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Federal officials haven’t indicated when efforts to swear in or interview applicants from these countries will resume.—
Catherine E. Shoichet,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
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Those deferred early action applicants are now part of the group awaiting decisions this week.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hopefuls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopefuls. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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