Definition

Noun: 1. The competitor considered most likely to win: A person, team, or organization that is leading or is widely expected to succeed in a competition, election, or race.

Usage

The term "front-runner" is used to describe the current favorite or leader in any competitive context. It implies a position of perceived advantage based on current performance, polling, or public opinion. It is often used in politics, sports, and business.

Examples

• In Politics:
  • After winning the first three primaries, she became the clear front-runner for the party's nomination.
  • The latest polls show the incumbent mayor as the front-runner in the upcoming election.
• In Sports:
  • With only two laps to go, car number 42 is the front-runner.
  • The defending champion is the front-runner to win the tournament again this year.
• In General Competition:
  • Their company is the front-runner to secure the major government contract.

Advanced Usage

• "To emerge as the front-runner": To become the perceived leader after a period of competition.
  • A relatively unknown candidate emerged as the front-runner after a series of strong debate performances.
• "The front-runner status": The position or condition of being the front-runner.
  • Her front-runner status made her the target of attacks from other candidates.

Variants and Related Words

• Front-running (noun): The practice of trading shares or other assets based on advance, non-public information from a client order. (Note: This is a specialized financial/legal term distinct from the general competitive meaning).
  • The broker was accused of front-running.

Synonyms

• Favorite
• Leader
• Contender (when implying a leading contender)
• Pace-setter

Antonyms

• Underdog
• Long shot
• Outsider
• Trailer

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "Out in front": Leading a race or competition. While similar, this is a descriptive phrase rather than a single noun like "front-runner."
  • She is out in front in the polls.

Noun

1. a competitor thought likely to win