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
Most analysts would not expect a Republican to ultimately win the California gubernatorial race, but a strong Democratic front-runner has yet to emerge.
—
Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Other contenders exist, but their bona fides sit in the negative space surrounding the two front-runners.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Mamdani, an Indian American state assemblyman who was born in Uganda, previously defeated the odds in June to earn the Democratic nomination for mayor over Cuomo, who was considered the clear front-runner by nearly every pollster throughout the primary race.
—Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
State assemblyman and Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani has remained the front-runner since his upset victory in the June primary.
—Emily Chang, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for front-runner
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Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Other contenders exist, but their bona fides sit in the negative space surrounding the two front-runners.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Mamdani, an Indian American state assemblyman who was born in Uganda, previously defeated the odds in June to earn the Democratic nomination for mayor over Cuomo, who was considered the clear front-runner by nearly every pollster throughout the primary race.
—Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
State assemblyman and Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani has remained the front-runner since his upset victory in the June primary.
—Emily Chang, ABC News, 4 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 15 Nov. 2025.
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