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.

Mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt based his campaign in large part on a scathing criticism of Bass’ handling of the Palisades fire and his own frustration after his Pacific Palisades house was destroyed.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

While trying to pick a vice-presidential candidate in 2024, Trump reportedly often mused: “Where is my Cary Grant?”

From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026

Instead, the party's candidate, Kenyon, is focusing on hyper-local issues such as opposing new housing developments on green-belt land, pitching himself as a "normal" local lad.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

Several years later, Saudi Arabia would win the right to host the 2034 World Cup as the only candidate in the running.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

At a campaign event in Boston, a high school student asked the young candidate what he’d done to become a war hero.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

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!