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.

Once more, Becerra was the focal point of attacks, befitting his newfound status as the candidate to beat.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

At school, the local Roman Catholic comprehensive, his English teacher recalls how he stood to be a Labour candidate in mock elections - and won by a landslide.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

Colombia’s rally also has to do with its upcoming elections External link, and investors’ anticipation that a more markets-forward candidate might win.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

Betting markets suggest he is the favored candidate to replace Starmer.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Some would hold out for months, I was told, expecting a face-to-face conversation with every candidate before finally committing to one.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

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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