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
The front-runner, though, was Lane Kiffin.
—
Noah White, Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
As Joe mentioned above, this category is so unsettled, and so rife with internal competition, that Grande feels like the front-runner almost by default.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 28 Nov. 2025
Both films are front-runners in the current awards season thanks to their bold conceptual swings, ambitious and original visual approaches, and combination of intimate and epic qualities.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 25 Nov. 2025
Bloomberg News, citing sources familiar with matter, reported Tuesday that Hassett is the front-runner for the job.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for front-runner
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Noah White, Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
As Joe mentioned above, this category is so unsettled, and so rife with internal competition, that Grande feels like the front-runner almost by default.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 28 Nov. 2025
Both films are front-runners in the current awards season thanks to their bold conceptual swings, ambitious and original visual approaches, and combination of intimate and epic qualities.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 25 Nov. 2025
Bloomberg News, citing sources familiar with matter, reported Tuesday that Hassett is the front-runner for the job.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for front-runner
Cite this Entry
“Front-runner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/front-runner. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.
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