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

Hardly a week goes by without news that some DSA candidate in some part of the country is pushing out a traditional Democrat in favor of a radical brand of politics that signals a dangerous shift for our country. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2026

Senator Bernie Sanders also campaigned on it as a presidential candidate back in 2016. — NBC news, 9 Aug. 2026

Kansas Republican Party Chair Danedri Herbert said that helped candidates distinguish themselves from their opponents. — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026

If staunchly progressive candidates take home victories in battleground regions like Michigan, where Abdul el Sayed’s rise has shaken the establishment, then Democrats could feel comfortable pushing forward a more left-wing candidate. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 9 Aug. 2026

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