front-runner

noun

front-run·ner ˈfrənt-ˌrə-nər

: a contestant who runs best when in the lead

: a leading contestant in or as if in a rivalry or competition

a political front-runner

Examples of front-runner in a Sentence

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Levine has emerged as an early front-runner in the race, already sitting on a campaign war chest of nearly $1.7 million after securing $1.2 million in public matching funds last month. —

Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2025 All are nominated for a BAFTA this year, with Edward Berger’s Vatican drama Conclave the front-runner with 12 nominations in total. —

Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Feb. 2025 Justyn Martin are the front-runners to start next season. —

C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2025 In a race that has been marked more by the similarity of the front-runners — Ben from Wisconsin and Ken from Minnesota — than any serious clash over vision or ideology, this felt more like a gentle pep rally than soul-searching at the crossroads. —

Jess Bidgood, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for front-runner