CANDIDATE Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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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 Lewis, though, could make sense as a contract-extension candidate. —

Mike Kaye march 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 Mar. 2026 That was originally the same week candidates were set to qualify for the ballot in congressional races, and Byrd moved the qualifying week back to June. —

CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026 Former Congressman David Jolly and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings are battling to become the Democratic candidate on the ballot in November. —

Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2026 On the Republican side, the lone candidate for comptroller is Bryan Drew, an attorney from downstate Benton. —

Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for candidate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for candidate

Noun

Last month, the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s editor wrote that a recent job applicant withdrew from consideration for a reporting fellowship after discovering the position included filing notes to an AI writing tool instead of actually writing stories, touching off a heated debate in media circles.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 4 Mar. 2026
There’s no cost for the process, and applicants usually find out their fate within six months, though that time can vary.

— Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 3 Mar. 2026