a cut above above ahead of time alee along ante ascendant before beforehand beforetime betimes better capping chosen distinguished early eclipsing eminent en route to exceeding excellent excelling finer first for fore foremost foresightedly forth forward forwards greater headmost higher in advance in anticipation in ascendancy in front in the ascendant in the forefront in the foreground in the front in the lead major marked of choice on one up on onward onwards outstanding over precociously previous rare rivaling super superior surpassing to the fore to the front topping transcendent transcendental transcending up ahead upper winning