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

The Dolphins, which fired longtime executive Chris Grier on Halloween of 2025, wasted no time asking for permission to interview six candidates who appear to be front-runners according to The NFL Network and ESPN. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026

Laces won their first four games last season and looked like a front-runner until injuries impacted their lineup. —Ben Pickman, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026

He was considered a front-runner to win his fourth MVP trophy before the knee injury, but now his candidacy is in doubt. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025

The key moment was the 2015 election when front-runner presidential candidate Edward Lowassa was disqualified and John Magufuli nominated instead. —Yonatan Morse, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for front-runner

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