CANDIDATE Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

candidate

noun

ˈkan-də-ˌdāt

Definition of candidate

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 Hardly a week goes by without news that some DSA candidate in some part of the country is pushing out a traditional Democrat in favor of a radical brand of politics that signals a dangerous shift for our country. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2026 Senator Bernie Sanders also campaigned on it as a presidential candidate back in 2016. — NBC news, 9 Aug. 2026 Kansas Republican Party Chair Danedri Herbert said that helped candidates distinguish themselves from their opponents. — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026 If staunchly progressive candidates take home victories in battleground regions like Michigan, where Abdul el Sayed’s rise has shaken the establishment, then Democrats could feel comfortable pushing forward a more left-wing candidate. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for candidate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for candidate

Noun

As of July 29th, more than 120,000 eligible applicants are awaiting additional funding.

— Lacey Beasley, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
An unsolicited email fro a mother is not evidence that the applicant asked her to send it.

— Jason Walker PsyD, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of applicant

Noun

One of the top contenders for the AA title, reigning Pan American floor champion Claire Pease opened her night on floor exercise.

— Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
The Indiana Fever — a habitual middle-of-the-pack franchise, 14 years removed from its only championship — have been on a hot streak on the court lately that has carried them up among the championship contenders.

— Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of contender

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candidacy

candidate

candidates

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“Candidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/candidate. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of candidate

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

12 Political Putdowns

17 Red, White, and Blue Political Terms

Podcast

Cite this Entry

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