Synonyms of candidate

candidate

noun

ˈkan-də-ˌdāt 

as in applicant

one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award

each candidate for town council was allowed to speak at the candidates' forum

Synonyms & Similar Words

• applicant
• contender
• nominee
• campaigner
• competitor
• aspirant
• prospect
• hopeful
• seeker
• contestant
• expectant
• entry
• qualifier
• entrant
• applier
• favorite
• claimant
• crown prince
• pretender
• favorite son
• spoiler
• running mate
• stalking horse
• dark horse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incumbent
• officeholder
• awardee
• noncandidate
• inductee
• honoree
• dropout

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of candidate

After a citizen’s task force last month recommended Orange County make hotel tax reform a legislative priority, the Orlando Sentinel sought interviews with the two leading candidates for governor for their take on the future of the lucrative tax. — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026

Turning Point Action is positioning itself to shape that contest, a reminder that preparations for the next White House campaign are already in motion even though no candidates have announced and the midterm elections are still two months away. — Hannah Fingerhut, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

If the early returns are any indication, Bailey could become a candidate for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026

And then there was the QB Moore, a Heisman Trophy candidate who threw for a career-high 388 yards, going 28-of-37 passing with three touchdowns. — Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2026

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