hopefuls

noun

Definition of hopefulsnext
plural of hopeful
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 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 Alabama’s draft hopefuls are largely expected to Tuesday. — Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopefuls
  1. candidates
  2. contenders
  3. applicants
Noun
  • 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
Definition of candidates
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
  • 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

Browse Nearby Words

hopefulness
hopefuls
hopeless
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hopefuls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopefuls. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
kestrel
Name That Bird Quiz Are you as wise as an owl or just another birdbrain?
See All