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
Seen as front-runner Pope Leo started to emerge as a front-runner for the papacy in the days before the conclave began, according to the Rev. James Martin, a papal contributor to ABC News.
—
Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 8 May 2025
That vote is often a chance to sound out front-runners and give token votes to friends and respected colleagues.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 7 May 2025
There are a bunch of solid front-runners to take the pope seat.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 7 May 2025
The former New York governor is widely considered the front-runner in the city’s 2025 mayoral race.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for front-runner
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Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 8 May 2025
That vote is often a chance to sound out front-runners and give token votes to friends and respected colleagues.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 7 May 2025
There are a bunch of solid front-runners to take the pope seat.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 7 May 2025
The former New York governor is widely considered the front-runner in the city’s 2025 mayoral race.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 6 May 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 19 May. 2025.
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