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

That subjectivity and secrecy over how a winner is selected also builds suspense, particularly in the years that follow an era dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, where a deeper pool of candidates now swims. — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Room for Disagreement Some Democrats were worried less about their individual candidates or the DCCC’s ability to compete, and more about the Democratic National Committee’s ability to help candidates in tight raises. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Appealing to independents in Iowa is a must for candidates running in statewide elections. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2026

The majority of union members voted for Democratic candidates, but at a far lower rate than in the 1960s. — The Conversation, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026

Eligible groups include candidates, parties, PACs and other political committees that qualify under the program. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Democrats see the data center uproar as fitting into their affordability messaging, and candidates generally agree data centers should be regulated, though their positions vary on how aggressively. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

During a meeting last week, officials held drawings to determine the order that candidates' names will appear on the ballot. — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026

This story is the first in a weekly series highlighting where the two candidates for Georgia governor stand on important issues. — Sophia Eppley, AJC.com, 31 Aug. 2026