最有力(さいゆうりょく)

さいゆうりょく
noun, pre-noun adjectival
most likely; leading; strongest (candidate)
descriptive
1. most likely; leading; frontrunner; strongest (candidate, contender, theory)
Describes the person, thing, or possibility that is considered the most probable or powerful. Commonly used in news reporting to identify the leading candidate in an election, the favored team in a competition, or the most convincing theory.
彼(かれ)が最有力(さいゆうりょく)の候補者(こうほしゃ)だ。
He is the leading candidate.
優勝(ゆうしょう)の最有力(さいゆうりょく)チームは去年(きょねん)の王者(おうじゃ)だ。
The strongest contender for the championship is last year's champion.
現時点(げんじてん)で最有力(さいゆうりょく)とされる説(せつ)は、環境(かんきょう)の変化(へんか)が原因(げんいん)だというものだ。
The theory currently considered most likely is that changes in the environment were the cause.

Composed of 最(さい) (most) and 有力(ゆうりょく) (influential, strong, promising). Functions as a pre-noun modifier (最有力(さいゆうりょく)の～) in most uses. Very common in news reporting, political commentary, and sports coverage.

Common collocations

  • 最有力(さいゆうりょく)候補(こうほ): leading candidate; frontrunner
  • 最有力(さいゆうりょく)候補者(こうほしゃ): the most likely candidate (person)
  • 最有力(さいゆうりょく)の説(せつ): the leading theory
  • 最有力(さいゆうりょく)と目(もく)される: regarded as the frontrunner
  • 最有力(さいゆうりょく)とされる: considered the most likely

Similar words

  • 有力(ゆうりょく): influential; strong; promising — without the superlative 最(さい)
  • 本命(ほんめい): favorite; sure bet — more informal, also used for romantic interests
  • 大本命(だいほんめい): heavy favorite — emphatic version of 本命(ほんめい)
general
Added 2026.4.30 21:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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