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

But the other main parties called it a stunt and refused to take part, leaving Farage running against an assortment of independents, jokers and single-issue candidates led by Count Binface, a comic space alien with a trash can on his head. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

And the issue is front-and-center in this year's primaries as candidates eye the Democratic and Republican nomination for an open Senate seat. — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

And therefore are candidates for current fracking technology. — Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) are grappling with a rise in sentiment against Israel, with tensions promising to accelerate should voters elect a new crop of candidates in November. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2026

The law enforcement surge played a major role in Democratic primary elections in June, which elevated candidates who have made Washington’s autonomy and statehood top priorities. — Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

The commission now appears poised to rule next month that the Georgia Republican Assembly and its affiliated political action committee failed to property disclose more than $187,000 in spending to support numerous candidates in recent years. — David Wickert, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026