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 controversy has left a wide opening for mayoral hopefuls to challenge Adams on his early childhood education record, and the race’s front-runners have seized on it as part of their agendas to make New York City more affordable.
—
Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025
Patterson was considered an early front-runner to join Jacksonville State transfer Zechariah Poyser as UM’s starting safeties.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2025
Democratic front-runners appear to be former Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
Prophet Brown feels like the front-runner, but USC has also put safety Kamari Ramsey there this spring and has experimented with some younger players like true freshmen Alex Graham and James Johnson and redshirt freshman Isaiah Rubin.
—Antonio Morales, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for front-runner
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025
Patterson was considered an early front-runner to join Jacksonville State transfer Zechariah Poyser as UM’s starting safeties.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2025
Democratic front-runners appear to be former Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
Prophet Brown feels like the front-runner, but USC has also put safety Kamari Ramsey there this spring and has experimented with some younger players like true freshmen Alex Graham and James Johnson and redshirt freshman Isaiah Rubin.
—Antonio Morales, New York Times, 13 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share