frontrunners
Those ahead currently
Frontrunners are the leading contenders in a competition, race, or contest—those most likely to win or succeed.
In politics, the frontrunner is typically the candidate polling highest or favored to secure nomination: She emerged as the frontrunner after the first debate.
The term extends beyond literal races to any situation where someone or something leads the pack, whether in business, technology, or cultural trends.
Those with authority
- favoritesMost preferred choices
- contendersThose seeking to win
- candidatesThose seeking selection
- nomineesThose proposed for selection
hopefuls · challengers · competitors · rivals · prospects · qualifiers · finalists · forerunners
Those who open territory
- pathfindersThose who discover routes
- groundbreakersInnovators who start trends
- vanguardsLeaders of new movements
- forerunnersThose preceding others
precursors · trendsetters · innovators · visionaries · scouts · founders · standard-bearers · harbingers
Of highest quality
- leadingGuiding or pacing type
- preeminentSuperior to all others
- eliteSuperior select group
- foremostHighest in importance
premier · flagship · chart-toppers · number-one · highest-rated · best-in-class · leaderboard · standings
leaders
Those with authority
- favoritesMost preferred choices
- contendersThose seeking to win
- candidatesThose seeking selection
nominees · hopefuls · challengers · competitors · rivals · prospects · qualifiers · finalists · forerunners · pacers
trailblazers
Those who open territory
- pathfindersThose who discover routes
- groundbreakersInnovators who start trends
- vanguardsLeaders of new movements
forerunners · precursors · trendsetters · innovators · visionaries · scouts · founders · standard-bearers · harbingers · bellwethers
top-tier
Of highest quality
- leadingGuiding or pacing type
- preeminentSuperior to all others
- eliteSuperior select group
foremost · premier · flagship · chart-toppers · number-one · highest-rated · best-in-class · leaderboard · standings · rankings
- tournament favoritesfavorites, defending champions, number one seed
- candidatescandidate, candidates, nominee, nominees, contender
- trailblazerstrailblazers, pioneers, innovators, groundbreakers, forerunners
- eliteelite, elites, aristocrats, nobility, best
- politicianspoliticians, Joe Biden, congressman, Nancy Pelosi, senator
- sports starsall-stars, elite athletes, elite players, MVPs, superstars
frontrunnersunderdogs
Competitors expected to fail
long shots · also-rans · outsiders · laggards · stragglers
frontrunnersstragglers
Those who fall behind
tailenders · backmarkers · trailers · laggers · rear guard