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

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who has increasingly waded into statewide issues in recent years, is reconsidering his political future and could be preparing to enter California’s crowded race for governor — a contest that so far lacks a clear front-runner. —Grace Hase, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026

Paul Thomas Anderson’s magnum opus, One Battle After Another, continued its winning streak Sunday night, picking up four trophies at the Golden Globes and cementing its status as the front-runner in the Oscar race. —Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026

Conversely, Newsom is an early front-runner for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. —George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026

There’s one thing a front-runner should do and that’s run in the front, which is exactly what’s happening to Jessie Buckley this awards season. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for front-runner

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