Definitions

candidate

[kan-di-deyt, -dit, kan-di-deyt] / ˈkæn dɪˌdeɪt, -dɪt, ˈkæn dɪˌdeɪt /

NOUN

person desiring political office, job

Synonyms

STRONGEST

applicant aspirant bidder competitor contender contestant nominee successor

STRONG

claimant entrant hopeful petitioner possibility pothunter runner seeker stumper suitor write-in

WEAK

dark horse favorite son handshaker job-hunter office seeker possible choice solicitant whistle-stopper

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“It will be yet another way of potentially attacking the candidate, and it’s unfortunate.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2026

Platner is an oyster farmer, Marine Corps veteran, and first-time candidate.

From Slate • Jul. 7, 2026

Later, Green MP Hannah Spencer told BBC Newsnight local members had decided not to field a candidate.

From BBC • Jul. 7, 2026

Even Le Pen herself had designated her 30-year-old protégé, Jordan Bardella, as her party’s presidential candidate if she were unable to run.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 7, 2026

Doctors wanted to know how long it took a candidate to regain balance.

From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson

Vocabulary lists containing candidate

Election Lingo

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Electoral Elocution: The Verbiage of Voting

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Commonly Misspelled Words, List 2

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!