CANDIDATE Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

candidate

noun

ˈkan-də-ˌdāt

Definition of candidate

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

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Example Sentences

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 candidate Two Democratic candidates are challenging the Republican incumbent, who has held office for five terms. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026 In Texas, moderate Republicans supported a shift in a state election regulatory process that required influencers paid more than $100 to post on behalf of a candidate to append disclosures. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 July 2026 Seven of the eight candidates backed by SEIU won their elections last year. — Dj Simmons july 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for candidate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for candidate

Noun

That threshold increases by an extra 50% for additional adult applicants and 30% for every child or dependent.

— Brittany Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 July 2026
Those requirements may also depend on where the work is performed, where the applicant resides, or both.

— Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of applicant

Noun

Following a tumultuous term that saw the last Jackson County Executive recalled from office, Jackson County residents will choose from a crowded primary field of contenders for the county’s top seat on August 4.

— Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
Without him, the Heat will enter the season facing odds longer than a handful of top contenders - a group of top contenders that now includes Philadelphia.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026

Definition of contender

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candidacy

candidate

candidates

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“Candidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/candidate. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of candidate

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

12 Political Putdowns

17 Red, White, and Blue Political Terms

Podcast

Cite this Entry

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