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
Cooper and Pappas, both moderates with consistent pro-Israel stances, are widely viewed as front-runners in their respective primaries.
—
Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 21 Nov. 2025
Polling shows that there’s no clear front-runner in the crowded field.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 21 Nov. 2025
Polling has shown the videos hurt Porter’s front-runner standing in the race.
—Sacbee.com, 19 Nov. 2025
Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has received more good polling news as the early front-runner in the 2026 Senate race, with a new survey putting the Democrat ahead of Republicans Michael Whatley and Don Brown.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025
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Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 21 Nov. 2025
Polling shows that there’s no clear front-runner in the crowded field.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 21 Nov. 2025
Polling has shown the videos hurt Porter’s front-runner standing in the race.
—Sacbee.com, 19 Nov. 2025
Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has received more good polling news as the early front-runner in the 2026 Senate race, with a new survey putting the Democrat ahead of Republicans Michael Whatley and Don Brown.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 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 25 Nov. 2025.
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