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 For some of Moulton’s young supporters, however, the argument is about more than the candidates’ ages. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 Trask would be a strong candidate to join the Panthers’ practice squad if King, in fact, remains sidelined due to injury. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2026 Practice squad candidates From the Falcons' first round of cuts, tight end Josh Simon is one of the more viable practice squad options. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Because Abdul El-Sayed is a radical, Islamist, dangerous candidate. — NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for candidate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for candidate

Noun

Andrew Brown, Park Forest’s assistant director of economic development and planning, notes that any applicant had to fall in the 60% income bracket of the six-county area of Chicago.

— Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
The bill requires applicants to provide local permits to Cal Fire.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of applicant

Noun

Here’s a closer look at the remaining meetings between division contenders.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
The schedule ahead will brings more challenges; the Dragons face championship contenders North Crowley and Allen before District 4-6A play.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 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 1 Sep. 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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