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
And while recent polls show Lula as the front-runner, the latest numbers suggest a tight race.
—
ABC News, 15 Feb. 2026
It’s created a murky picture around the front-runners going into the new season.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Here are early front-runners for album of the year and record of the year at the 69th annual Grammy Awards.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2026
Summer Britcher entered the game as the front-runner for Team USA in the luge.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for front-runner
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ABC News, 15 Feb. 2026
It’s created a murky picture around the front-runners going into the new season.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Here are early front-runners for album of the year and record of the year at the 69th annual Grammy Awards.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2026
Summer Britcher entered the game as the front-runner for Team USA in the luge.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 10 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 17 Feb. 2026.
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