Synonyms of candidates

candidates

noun

plural of candidate

as in applicants

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

• applicants
• contenders
• hopefuls
• aspirants
• prospects
• campaigners
• competitors
• nominees
• seekers
• contestants
• expectants
• entries
• qualifiers
• entrants
• appliers
• favorites
• claimants
• pretenders
• spoilers
• stalking horses
• running mates
• favorite sons
• crown princes
• dark horses

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incumbents
• officeholders
• awardees
• inductees
• noncandidates
• honorees
• dropouts

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of candidates

Back then, the imperial family was bigger and incorporated other collateral branches, known as Oke, which offered a pool of candidates if the main bloodline failed to produce an heir. — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Even candidates who have merely been endorsed by progressive organizations have sought to draw distinctions. — Nik Popli, Time, 13 July 2026

More recently, the Great Lakes region has been the nation’s marquee political battleground, with state legislatures and the presidential winner swinging between Democratic and Republican candidates for the last decade. — Matt Brown, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026

More recently, the Great Lakes region has been the nation's marquee political battleground, with state legislatures and the presidential winner swinging between Democratic and Republican candidates for the last decade. — ABC News, 13 July 2026

Many candidates were, understandably, tempted to emulate Spacek’s performance, though that’s something the team was quietly trying to avoid. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026

Hinojosa, a son of the city, could be one of 10 candidates, according to Jillson. — Steve Pickett, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Juro is collecting worthy Jedi to help repopulate the Jedi Order, but evil Sith mercenaries are hiding within his candidates’ ranks. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 13 July 2026

There were 4,183 ballots cast in the Kings/Ducks voting, and four candidates received at least 75% of the vote. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026