hopefuls

noun

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

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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 From the interstate to the eastern suburbs, Citrus Heights’ city council hopefuls are focused on Sunrise Mall. — Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026 During her time at the Mansion, Elle meets Anna (Depp), one of seven hopefuls vying to be Playmate of the Month. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026 Four other presidential hopefuls trail behind Lula and the younger Bolsanaro in the polls. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026 The rise of social media does these overzealous Oscar hopefuls no favors. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026 Complaints from students about deteriorating schools, teacher shortages and heavy class schedules have become the latest cause embraced by some presidential hopefuls. — ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026 Through the final weeks of the season, the Phillies were fighting tooth and nail to secure one of the NL Wild Card positions alongside other postseason hopefuls. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2026 The rebuilding Dolphins, who played a solid game Sunday, have now played two Super Bowl hopefuls — San Francisco and Kansas City — in their three games and there’s reason to believe Miami is improving. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 27 Sep. 2026 Toronto leadoff hitter Brett Bateman reached base and scored three times, twice knocked in by Nathan Lukes, and the Blue Jays beat the AL West-leading Texas Rangers 7-2 on Sunday to avoid a series sweep in the matchup of playoff hopefuls. — CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopefuls
  1. candidates
  2. contenders
  3. applicants
Noun
  • While there are only so many cancer patients, all of us are candidates for screening.
    — H. Gilbert Welch, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Republican and Democratic candidates are within a few points of each other in dozens of House and Senate races around the country.
    — Nathan Gonzales CQ-Roll Call, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of candidates
Noun
  • Both teams are undefeated and considered national championship contenders.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • These five rising, behind-the-scenes maestros have worked on major hits for such likely 2027 contenders as Noah Kahan, Ariana Grande and Rosalía — and could be first-time nominees in the category.
    — Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of contenders
Noun
  • To be eligible, applicants must be seeking enrollment at the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment as a first-time freshman for Fall 2027.
    — Jem Aswad, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Looming changes tied to ‘payment error rates’ State agencies and some state legislatures are imposing stricter rules and requiring applicants to provide more paperwork documenting their income, expenses and the number of people in their household.
    — Tracy Roof, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of applicants

Browse Nearby Words

hopefulness
hopefuls
hopeless
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Cite this Entry

“Hopefuls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopefuls. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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