front-runner
Expected to win
A front-runner is the leading candidate or competitor in a contest—the one currently most likely to win.
The term comes from horse racing, where the front-runner literally runs at the front of the pack: She's the front-runner for the nomination.
Front-runners attract both support and scrutiny.
One who guides others
- favoriteMost liked option
- contenderOne competing seriously
- odds-onLikely to win
- favoredShown special preference
pace-setter · ahead · leading · dominant · projected · tipped · ranking · standings
First to forge ahead
- forerunnerOne that comes before
- pathfinderOne who discovers routes
- vanguardForemost position or group
- trendsetterOne who initiates styles
first-mover · innovator · groundbreaker · avant-garde · pacesetter · bellwether · harbinger · precursor
Person seeking selection
- nomineeOne proposed for position
- primaryChief in importance
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- pollingSystematic opinion gathering
caucus · incumbent · challenger · electorate · delegates · endorsement · ballot · platform
One who establishes speed
- breakawaySudden separation from group
- personal-bestOne's highest recorded achievement
- trackPath or monitored route
- marathonLong-distance footrace
leader
One who guides others
favored · pace-setter · ahead · leading · dominant · projected · tipped · ranking · standings · advantage
trailblazer
First to forge ahead
- forerunnerOne that comes before
- pathfinderOne who discovers routes
- vanguardForemost position or group
trendsetter · first-mover · innovator · groundbreaker · avant-garde · pacesetter · bellwether · harbinger · precursor · standard-bearer
candidate
Person seeking selection
polling · caucus · incumbent · challenger · electorate · delegates · endorsement · ballot · platform · superdelegate
pace-setter
One who establishes speed
- breakawaySudden separation from group
- personal-bestOne's highest recorded achievement
- trackPath or monitored route
- competitorscompetitor, contestant, competitors, rivals, opponents
- front-runnersleader, first place, top spot, ahead, pole position
- Pioneerspioneer, pioneers, forerunner, trailblazer, innovator
- Prospectsprospect, candidate, hopeful, applicant, contender
- Safe Betsfavorite, best bet, slam dunk, shoo-in, sure thing
- ranking wordsrated, ranked, scored, firstly, secondly
front-runnerunderdog
Presumed loser beforehand
long shot · also-ran · dark horse · straggler · bottom-dweller
front-runnerunderdog
Presumed loser beforehand
long shot · write-off · afterthought · Cinderella · outsider