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

Cowing figured to be this season’s front-runner to replace Skyy Moore, who left in free agency for Green Bay. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026

The votes for the two front-runners then — Adam Putnam and Ron DeSantis, both white men — did not correlate significantly with counties’ racial demographics. — Ashley Borja, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Supporters of Becerra’s approach argue that a front-runner has no obligation to grant an underdog multiple prime-time platforms, especially when those events can be used to repackage partisan attacks already aired during the primary. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

There were five front-runner cities identified earlier this year, but Atlanta and Chicago are no longer in the running. — Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for front-runner

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