in the lead
Out in front
In the lead means ahead of competitors or others in a contest, race, or ranking.
A candidate in the lead has more votes than opponents.
A runner in the lead is ahead of the pack.
The phrase implies a position that could change—being in the lead now doesn't guarantee finishing first.
Likely winner
- aheadIn the lead
- paceSpeed of movement
- pole positionFrontmost starting spot
- breakawaySudden separation from group
contender · challenger · neck and neck · photo finish · sprint · marathon · relay · qualifying
First Greek letter
- dominantHaving superior influence
- foremostHighest in importance
- preeminentSuperior to all others
- topUppermost part or surface
supreme · commanding · controlling · premier · number one · first place · ranking · outperforming
Leading toward destination
- steeringControlling direction of movement
- directingOverseeing a production
- shepherdingGuiding a group protectively
- heading upLeading an organization
Early explorer or settler
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- vanguardForemost position or group
- trendsetterOne who initiates styles
- groundbreakerInnovator, first to act
innovator · pathfinder · forerunner · forefront · cutting-edge · ahead of the curve · first mover · early adopter
front-runner
Likely winner
- aheadIn the lead
- paceSpeed of movement
- pole positionFrontmost starting spot
breakaway · contender · challenger · neck and neck · photo finish · sprint · marathon · relay · qualifying · heats
alpha
First Greek letter
- dominantHaving superior influence
- foremostHighest in importance
- preeminentSuperior to all others
top · supreme · commanding · controlling · premier · number one · first place · ranking · outperforming · outpacing
guiding
Leading toward destination
- steeringControlling direction of movement
- directingOverseeing a production
- shepherdingGuiding a group protectively
heading up · taking charge · at the helm · spearheading · out front
pioneer
Early explorer or settler
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- vanguardForemost position or group
- trendsetterOne who initiates styles
groundbreaker · innovator · pathfinder · forerunner · forefront · cutting-edge · ahead of the curve · first mover · early adopter · spearheading
- racing termsbackstretch, checkered flag, daily double, dead heat, exacta
- advantagesedge, leverage, upper hand, leg up, head start
- front-runnersfront-runner, frontrunner, first place, top spot, ahead
- ranking wordsrated, ranked, scored, firstly, secondly
- finish line expressionsphoto finish, down to the wire, home stretch, final stretch, final lap
in the leadtrailing behind
Following at a distance
bringing up the rear · behind · trailing · losing · lagging behind
leader, leading, led, leadership, mislead, leads, misleading, misled, leaderboard