as in candidates
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award
a debate between the two aspirants for the highest office
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Recent Examples of aspirants
That neutrality could come at a cost, some experts say, should the two GOP aspirants prevail.
—
Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
This time around, absent Wilson or other prominent Black aspirants, those voters would be likely to vote for Johnson.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Many aspirants, like Yusuf, consider jars of skin lightening cream to be essential, along with access to exclusive gyms and going to the right hair salon.
—Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
These protagonists were classic show-business aspirants who, having come to Los Angeles to be within grasping distance of their dreams, fell, in the interim, into service work.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
Despite many aspirants and imitators, there really hasn’t been anything like it since.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, both incumbent members of Congress and aspirants will be running in districts that have been radically gerrymandered to shrink Republicans’ tiny delegation even more, as Democrats seek to regain control of Congress.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
There are also seven private villas—airy, palatial, ideal for families or James Bond aspirants—along with an expansion set to be unveiled in 2026.
—David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Both men reflect a cohort of youthful African aspirants aiming to ride popular disenchantments with governments to high office.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
This time around, absent Wilson or other prominent Black aspirants, those voters would be likely to vote for Johnson.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Many aspirants, like Yusuf, consider jars of skin lightening cream to be essential, along with access to exclusive gyms and going to the right hair salon.
—Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
These protagonists were classic show-business aspirants who, having come to Los Angeles to be within grasping distance of their dreams, fell, in the interim, into service work.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
Despite many aspirants and imitators, there really hasn’t been anything like it since.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, both incumbent members of Congress and aspirants will be running in districts that have been radically gerrymandered to shrink Republicans’ tiny delegation even more, as Democrats seek to regain control of Congress.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
There are also seven private villas—airy, palatial, ideal for families or James Bond aspirants—along with an expansion set to be unveiled in 2026.
—David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Both men reflect a cohort of youthful African aspirants aiming to ride popular disenchantments with governments to high office.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspirants
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 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
Noun
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Moore spoke at the Maryland statehouse for the premiere of NPR's Newsmakers, a new video podcast featuring high-profile interviews with leaders across society, from business figures to athletes to presidential contenders.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
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The state's liberal majority is split among eight Democratic contenders.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aspirants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspirants. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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