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
Health Secretary Wes Streeting is widely considered a front-runner to become the next prime minister.
—
Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
Though the Moon is now the front-runner, SpaceX plans to break ground on a Martian city within the next five to seven years.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
Gavin Newsom, who attended a dinner at the three-Michelin-star French Laundry during the shutdown, is probably the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
This is how it is supposed to go for the front-runner for MVP honors and the lock for the Norris Trophy, right?
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for front-runner
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Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
Though the Moon is now the front-runner, SpaceX plans to break ground on a Martian city within the next five to seven years.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
Gavin Newsom, who attended a dinner at the three-Michelin-star French Laundry during the shutdown, is probably the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
This is how it is supposed to go for the front-runner for MVP honors and the lock for the Norris Trophy, right?
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
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 16 Feb. 2026.
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