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
After all, confidence and decisiveness are hallmark traits of executive presence, a quality long sought by boards, taught at top business schools, and used at performance review time as a catch-all descriptor to either promote or shelve C-suite hopefuls.
—
Harvard Business Review, 1 Apr. 2026
Presidential hopefuls often, though not always, release books before launching a campaign, giving them a moment in the spotlight before new audiences and a chance to crystallize their message embarking on a campaign.
—Hillel Italie, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Democratic leaders hope their voters eventually rally behind one or two candidates, and Swalwell is among the leading Democratic hopefuls.
—Perry Stein and Jeremy Roebuck The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 1 Apr. 2026
Because Sunday night in Oklahoma City felt like a potential NBA Finals preview, the Knicks as championship hopefuls against the defending champion Thunder.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
This time last season, City — viewed then as potential 2024-25 WSL title contenders and European hopefuls — skidded to a standstill.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
The 75th running of the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on Saturday was a razor’s-edge outcome, a thrilling battle involving several of the top Kentucky Derby hopefuls in the country.
—Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
The midterm elections have brought the question of Schumer’s leadership into focus, as Democratic hopefuls in key Senate races have steered clear of backing Schumer.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2026
The crop’s pull extends to the highest levels of national politics — presidential hopefuls have made a point of visiting Meru to publicly declare their support for the trade, with pledges to open new markets, defend growers, and confront foreign bans.
—Joseph Maina, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Harvard Business Review, 1 Apr. 2026
Presidential hopefuls often, though not always, release books before launching a campaign, giving them a moment in the spotlight before new audiences and a chance to crystallize their message embarking on a campaign.
—Hillel Italie, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Democratic leaders hope their voters eventually rally behind one or two candidates, and Swalwell is among the leading Democratic hopefuls.
—Perry Stein and Jeremy Roebuck The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 1 Apr. 2026
Because Sunday night in Oklahoma City felt like a potential NBA Finals preview, the Knicks as championship hopefuls against the defending champion Thunder.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
This time last season, City — viewed then as potential 2024-25 WSL title contenders and European hopefuls — skidded to a standstill.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
The 75th running of the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on Saturday was a razor’s-edge outcome, a thrilling battle involving several of the top Kentucky Derby hopefuls in the country.
—Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
The midterm elections have brought the question of Schumer’s leadership into focus, as Democratic hopefuls in key Senate races have steered clear of backing Schumer.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2026
The crop’s pull extends to the highest levels of national politics — presidential hopefuls have made a point of visiting Meru to publicly declare their support for the trade, with pledges to open new markets, defend growers, and confront foreign bans.
—Joseph Maina, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopefuls
Noun
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Sacramento's League of Women Voters, which does not endorse candidates, says the voting method is a nonpartisan way to improve elections.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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While Protect Wyoming is necessarily focused within the state and on state politics, rather than federal candidates, its work stands to influence nonresidents who hunt, fish, and recreate in the state.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The home opener, especially for non-contenders, serves as a window into the season.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
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The first debate between presidential candidates occurred on May 17, 1948, when Republican contenders Thomas Dewey and Harold Stassen matched wits.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The county’s One-Stop Permit Center provides convenient coordination, but applicants face delays waiting for complete design plans and navigating convoluted information.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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With no ability to trust that college students have basic skills, a majority of employers now use their own standardized exams to prescreen applicants.—
David Blobaum,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hopefuls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopefuls. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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