top seed
First-ranked tournament entrant
The top seed is the highest-ranked competitor in a tournament bracket, positioned to avoid other strong contenders until later rounds.
Seeding systems reward past performance by giving favorites easier early matchups.
The top seed cruised through the first round.
By extension, top seed can describe any frontrunner: She's the top seed for the promotion.
First in rank
- first placeWinning position
- frontrunnerLeading candidate or competitor
- leaderOne who guides others
- favoriteMost liked option
seedings · rankings · bracket · draw · qualifier · preliminary · bye · placement
Multi-round competitive event
- matchupScheduled competitive pairing
- opponentOne who contends against
- contenderOne competing seriously
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
underdog · dark horse · upset · knockout · elimination · playoffs · semifinals · finals
Beliefs about future outcomes
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- spotlightConcentrated illumination source
- stakesPosts or wagers
- high-pressureInvolving urgent demands
nerves · intensity · burden · target · weight · responsibility · focus · demand
Initial competitive advantage
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
- preferential treatmentAdvantages given selectively
- upper handPosition of control
leverage · lead · vantage · dominance · ascendancy · preeminence · primacy · boost
Superior select group
- pinnacleUtmost summit or spire
- bestHighest in quality
- premierFirst in importance
- cream of the cropThe very best
standout · star · preeminent · distinguished · exceptional · superior · world-class · ace
number one
First in rank
- first placeWinning position
- frontrunnerLeading candidate or competitor
- leaderOne who guides others
favorite · seedings · rankings · bracket · draw · qualifier · preliminary · bye · placement · standings
tournament
Multi-round competitive event
- matchupScheduled competitive pairing
- opponentOne who contends against
- contenderOne competing seriously
challenger · underdog · dark horse · upset · knockout · elimination · playoffs · semifinals · finals · round-robin
expectations
Beliefs about future outcomes
high-pressure · nerves · intensity · burden · target · weight · responsibility · focus · demand · challenge
headstart
Initial competitive advantage
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
- preferential treatmentAdvantages given selectively
upper hand · leverage · lead · vantage · dominance · ascendancy · preeminence · primacy · boost · privilege
elite
Superior select group
cream of the crop · standout · star · preeminent · distinguished · exceptional · superior · world-class · ace · prodigy
- sports termssoccer, football, basketball, tennis, golf
- competitorscompetitor, contestant, competitors, rivals, opponents
- tennis peopleplayer, umpire, referee, line judge, ball boy
- top performersace, all-star, champ, elite, expert
- tournament termsbracket, playoff bracket, semifinals, quarterfinals, finals
- College BasketballNCAA, March Madness, bracket, Final Four, Elite Eight