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 figurehead of the far-right National Rally (RN) party had been seen as the front-runner for the next election, and the ruling has thrown French politics into disarray. —Todd Symons, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025

Democrats still have a long search for their next party leader as front-runners begin to emerge over the next couple of years. —Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 4 Apr. 2025

Adams has also trailed former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) as the party front-runner in recent polling, usually receiving support in the high single digits or low double digits. —Jared Gans, The Hill, 3 Apr. 2025

That includes ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who’s polling as the front-runner and has vowed to hire 5,000 new NYPD officers if elected. —Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for front-runner

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