Front-runner
What it means
The leading or most likely successful competitor.
Reach for it when naming the competitor or option currently most likely to succeed
Her low-cost design emerged as the clear front-runner.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| literary |
-
everyday
Fits when expectations or betting strongly favor one contender
Careful The favorite may not currently lead.
-
everyday
Fits when current rank is the only relevant fact
Careful A leader may be ahead by very little and not favored to win.
-
warm
likely winner
Fits when plain language should state the forecast
Careful Likely winner overstates evidence when the race remains close.
-
professional
leading contender
Fits when one strong candidate is ahead without certainty
Careful The phrase is measured but lacks front-runner's compactness.
-
professional
top candidate
Fits when selection rather than competition is involved
Careful Top candidate can be one of several and may not be publicly ranked.
-
literary
pacesetter
Fits when the leader establishes the speed or standard
Careful Pacesetter implies influence on others, not merely likely success.
Opposites 4
- underdog
- trailer
- outsider
- also-ran
Common phrases 3
-
clear front-runner
Her low-cost design became the clear front-runner.
-
emerge as front-runner
The repair plan could emerge as front-runner.
-
current front-runner
The current front-runner still faces a final review.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated