Applicant finds prisoner sensitive (9)
I believe the answer is:
contender
'applicant' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'prisoner sensitive' is the wordplay.
'prisoner' becomes 'con' (abbreviation for 'convict').
'sensitive' becomes 'tender' (synonyms).
'con'+'tender'='CONTENDER'
'finds' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for contender that I've seen before include "Competitor, challenger" , "One struggling" , "One striving" , "No red cent (anag.)" , "One seeking title" .)