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.

Lead author Corinne Mensforth, a PhD candidate from the Flinders Palaeontology Lab, says the fossil is especially valuable because it preserves the internal bones of the skull.

From Science Daily • May 25, 2026

Branding himself "The Tiger," the candidate has a penchant for swearing and is known for his hot temper.

From Barron's • May 25, 2026

Since every major party presidential candidate had voluntarily released their tax returns over the past four decades, it was assumed he would follow suit.

From Salon • May 25, 2026

Lawmakers have up to three months to approve the nominated candidate.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

I will not be a candidate, and I will not be chosen.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

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

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