A leading entrant can be described by other terms such as front-runner, top contender, main challenger, foremost candidate, or the frontrunner. These synonyms all imply that the individual or organization is the current leader in a particular competition or industry, outpacing their competitors. The leading entrant is often the one to beat and sets the standard for the rest of the field. They are typically at the forefront of innovation and drive progress in their industry. Using synonyms for the leading entrant can add variation to writing and conversation while still conveying the same meaning.