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

Forty-four prospective candidates have submitted applications to become the next permanent superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, according to the city agency tasked with vetting those bids. — Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 29 Sep. 2026

Watchmaking entrants will reinterpret the in-house self-winding automatic 1847 MC movement through that lens, while jewelry candidates are invited to translate an animal’s presence into a brooch. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

The largest share of cash to progressive candidates came from donors in the Bay Area, while the largest share of financial backing to moderate candidates came from donors in the Los Angeles area. — Ben Wieder, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Chicagoans will soon elect the Chicago Board of Education president for the first time ever, and among the four candidates running is incumbent board member and former Chicago Public Schools principal Jessica Biggs. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Nearly 20 candidates have thrown their hat in the ring for three open seats on the Board of Trustees of Los Rios Community College District. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026