APPLICANTS Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

applicants

noun

plural of applicant

as in candidates

one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award have numerous applicants for the job

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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 applicants For next year’s admissions, institutions would have to publish more detailed selection criteria and explain rejections when applicants request reasons. — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 Apparently desperate to expand its pool of applicants, the FBI is now actually considering individuals who have documented histories of animal abuse and bestiality. — Diana Urban, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 2026 Gartner predicts that by 2028, one in four applicants will be fake. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026 Medium-class Explorer (MIDEX) and Earth Explorer missions will open to a wider range of applicants, including universities and commercial organizations, and will have similar changes implemented for their two-step selection process. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Biz2Credit considers applicants who have been in business for 12 months. — Dan Avery, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 Other programs will need to be consolidated or closed, particularly when employers hire applicants without a college credential or prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree. — Kathleen Plinske, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 Processing around a million or more disputes a year creates a burden on administrative tasks such as case management, assuring consistency in documentation, assuring applicants meet eligibility criteria and developing reimbursement plans. — Christine Cooper, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Those who consistently fall short are replaced by some of the dozens of applicants clutching résumés who queue up at the factory gate each morning. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 20 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for applicants

candidates

Noun

That’s thanks to two Democratic incumbents running more strongly than expected in more conservative districts, but also to candidates like Garcia, who’s running neck-and-neck against his GOP rival.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Their Students' List of candidates includes various experts in their fields with little or no experience in politics or state jobs.

— JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of candidates

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applicant

applicants

application

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“Applicants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applicants. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of applicants

noun

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