nominate
9 synonyms for nominate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To formally propose someone as a candidate for a role, award, or position.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
put forward
shortlist
How to use nominate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
nominate someone for
nominated candidate
Etymology
From Latin nominatus, past participle of nomino, "to name," from nomen, "a name."
Full origin of nominate →Frequently asked questions
What does “nominate” mean?
The word “nominate” means to formally propose someone as a candidate for a role, award, or position. In plain terms, to put someone forward as a candidate for something.
How do you pronounce “nominate”?
“Nominate” is pronounced NOM-ih-nayt (/ˈnɑ.mɪ.neɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “nominate” in a sentence?
Here is “nominate” used in a sentence: “The committee nominated her for Employee of the Year.”
What part of speech is “nominate”?
“Nominate” is a verb.
Where does the word “nominate” come from?
The word “nominate” comes from Latin. From Latin nominatus, past participle of nomino, "to name," from nomen, "a name.".
Is “nominate” a common word?
“Nominate” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between nominate and elect?
To nominate is to formally propose someone as a candidate for a role, award, or position, while to elect is to actually choose that candidate through a vote. A person can be nominated without ever being elected.
What is the difference between nominate and appoint?
Nominate means to put someone forward as a candidate for consideration, whereas appoint means to actually assign someone to a position with formal authority. Nomination is often a step that precedes a final appointment or election decision.
Do you nominate someone for or as a position?
Both prepositions are used depending on context: you nominate someone for an award or for a role, but you can also nominate someone as a candidate or as a representative. The choice depends on whether you are naming the goal or the capacity being proposed.
