front-runner

noun

front-run·​ner ˈfrənt-ˌrə-nər 

1

: a contestant who runs best when in the lead

2

: a leading contestant in or as if in a rivalry or competition

a political front-runner

Examples of front-runner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, El-Sayed, who supports Medicare for All and the abolition of ICE, has established himself as both the most progressive candidate in the primary and the front-runner in the polls. — Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 10 July 2026

Still, after the Longhorns’ latest addition, coach Sean Miller’s team should be considered a true national title front-runner. — Brendan Marks, New York Times, 9 July 2026

And Rhys, who previously won the Emmy for best actor in a drama for the final season of The Americans, should be considered a front-runner in a wide-open lead-acting category. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026

Meanwhile, in the Limited Series race are predicted front-runners like Netflix’s Beef and Love Story on FX. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for front-runner

• forerunner
• brunner
• gunnar
• gunner
• runner
• tonner