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.

The second-place candidate will go head-to-head in November with incumbent Bass, a Democratic former congresswoman first elected to lead the second-largest US city in 2022, who has come under fire during her time in office.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

In 2018, for example, it was announced that there was a new candidate for a dwarf planet orbiting the Sun, known as 2017 OF201.

From Science Daily • Jun. 9, 2026

In Falta, a constituency the TMC had won with 56% of the vote in 2021, the party failed even to keep a candidate in the fray for a repoll.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

Thinking it was a supporter, the candidate extended his hand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

King would be stumping throughout the Tarheel State for his longtime friend, black gubernatorial candidate Dr. Reginald Hawkins.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

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!