frontrunner
Leading the pack
A frontrunner is the person or thing leading in a competition or race.
In politics, the frontrunner is the candidate polling ahead of rivals: She's been the frontrunner since the primaries began.
The term implies the lead could change—frontrunners can stumble, and underdogs can catch up.
Also spelled front-runner or front runner.
Early explorer or settler
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- pathfinderOne who discovers routes
- vanguardForemost position or group
- forerunnerOne that comes before
first-mover · groundbreaker · trendsetter · disruptor · visionary · spearhead · originator · architect
One who guides others
- favoriteMost liked option
- odds-onLikely to win
- pacesetterOne setting the standard
- head-startInitial advantage given
lead · standing · ranking · bracket · challenger · contender · underdog · projected
Person seeking selection
- nomineeOne proposed for position
- pollGathering of opinions
- primaryChief in importance
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
delegate · incumbent · endorsement · caucus · ballot · electorate · constituency · polling
pioneer
Early explorer or settler
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- pathfinderOne who discovers routes
- vanguardForemost position or group
forerunner · first-mover · groundbreaker · trendsetter · disruptor · visionary · spearhead · originator · architect · bellwether
leader
One who guides others
- favoriteMost liked option
- odds-onLikely to win
- pacesetterOne setting the standard
head-start · lead · standing · ranking · bracket · challenger · contender · underdog · projected · predicted
candidate
Person seeking selection
campaign · delegate · incumbent · endorsement · caucus · ballot · electorate · constituency · polling · platform
pace
Speed of movement
distance · sprint · marathon · heat · lap · track · pacer · breakaway · stretch · closing
- competitioncompete, competitor, contender, winner, sports
- track and fieldtrack and field, sprinters, sprinter, sprinting, sprint
- candidatescandidate, candidates, nominee, nominees, contender
- competitorscompetitor, contestant, competitors, rivals, opponents
- election participantsvoter, candidate, elector, registered voter, eligible voter
- rankingsrankings, first, college rankings, second, third
frontrunnerunderdog
Presumed loser beforehand
long shot · dark horse · also-ran · laggard · straggler
frontrunnerunderdog
Presumed loser beforehand
dark horse · Cinderella story · outsider · spoiler · challenger