candidates

noun

Definition of candidatesnext
plural of candidate
as in applicants
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award each candidate for town council was allowed to speak at the candidates' forum

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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 candidates Johnson was on track to fall short of winning the speakership on the first ballot after three of his fellow Republicans voted for other candidates. — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 3 Jan. 2025 On Thursday, days before the conclusion of their tumultuous season, the Jets interviewed candidates for their general manager and coaching vacancies. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2025 Vrabel is considered one of the hottest candidates in this coaching cycle. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for candidates
  1. applicants
  2. contenders
  3. hopefuls
Noun
  • As the new year begins, heed the wisdom of these admission leaders who have ushered decades of applicants (in many cases including their own children) through this experience.
    — Brennan Barnard, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
  • The communications, media and technology sectors exemplify this trend, with Workday reporting an average of 30 applicants per job offer, marking a 36% increase from 2023.
    — Jack Kelly, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of applicants
Noun
  • For now, contemplating the improbable (a Canadian team winning the Stanley Cup) boasts three contenders.
    — Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Possible contenders are exploring taking Johnson on, and the list grows by the day.
    — Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
Definition of contenders
Noun
  • For months, Cleveland welcomed friends, cabinet hopefuls, former officials, party insiders, ladder-climbers and journalists (including Adolph Ochs, The Times’s future publisher).
    — Ian Prasad Philbrick, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Young hockey hopefuls skated in left field and partiers rang in New Year’s in right field, all while the main event carried on in the infield.
    — Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2025
Definition of hopefuls

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“Candidates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/candidates. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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