pacesetter
One who leads
A pacesetter is someone or something that establishes a standard others follow.
In racing, the pacesetter leads and sets the speed for the field.
More broadly, a pacesetter is a leader or innovator: Silicon Valley remains the pacesetter in tech.
The word implies others are trying to keep up or match the pace being set.
First to forge ahead
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
- front-runnerLikely winner
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- trendsetterOne who initiates styles
innovator · forerunner · pathfinder · bellwether · standard-bearer · mentor · influencer · captain
Likely winner
- rabbitLong-eared lagomorph
- pacerTempo-setting individual or device
- sprinterShort-distance racing specialist
- marathonerRacer of 26.2 miles
timekeeper · lap · record-breaker · relay · stamina · endurance · track · checkpoint
Standard for comparison
- disruptorOne who overturns norms
- first-moverInitial market participant
- innovatorCreator of new methods
- competitorOne striving against others
dominant · flagship · breakthrough · growth · performance · metrics · quarterly · revenue
One who initiates styles
- tastemakerOne who shapes trends
- influencerPerson with promotional reach
- voguePrevailing popular style
- styleDistinctive way of expression
avant-garde · couture · chic · runway · designer · icon · aesthetic · edgy
trailblazer
First to forge ahead
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
- front-runnerLikely winner
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
trendsetter · innovator · forerunner · pathfinder · bellwether · standard-bearer · mentor · influencer · captain · chief
front-runner
Likely winner
- rabbitLong-eared lagomorph
- pacerTempo-setting individual or device
- sprinterShort-distance racing specialist
marathoner · timekeeper · lap · record-breaker · relay · stamina · endurance · track · checkpoint · medalist
benchmark
Standard for comparison
- disruptorOne who overturns norms
- first-moverInitial market participant
- innovatorCreator of new methods
competitor · dominant · flagship · breakthrough · growth · performance · metrics · quarterly · revenue · startup
trendsetter
One who initiates styles
- tastemakerOne who shapes trends
- influencerPerson with promotional reach
- voguePrevailing popular style
style · avant-garde · couture · chic · runway · designer · icon · aesthetic · edgy · bold
- competitorscompetitor, contestant, competitors, rivals, opponents
- front-runnersfront-runner, frontrunner, leader, first place, top spot
- Pioneerspioneer, pioneers, forerunner, trailblazer, innovator
- trendsetterstrendsetter, trendsetters, influencer, fashionistas, style icons
- leadership stylesautocrat, dictator, visionary, servant leader, coach
- frontrunnersforerunner, leader, favorite, front runner, number one
pacesetterimitator
One who copies others
copycat · traditionalist · follower · derivative · conformist