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

And so, in a twist that uproots the entire season, front-runner Jane Don’t gets sent home with only like one episode to go before the finale. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026

California Democrats enjoy a 2-to-1 voter registration edge over the GOP, but Golden State voters say there is a fog of confusion around the race because of the party's failure to coalesce around a front-runner. —Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026

The front-runner for the NBA franchise appears to be the owners of the Seattle Kraken. —Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 27 Mar. 2026

Buchanan might be the slight early front-runner for that guard job, with Juan Minaya, SJ Olifatuli and veteran transfer Jonathan Cline among others competing. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for front-runner

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