ˌəp-ˈfrənt 
ˈəp-ˌfrənt
variants
or upfront
: being or coming in or at the front: such as
a(1)
: frank, forthright
were up-front about their suspicions
(2)
: being in a conspicuous or leading position
b
: paid or payable in advance
up-front cash
c
: playing in a front line (as in football)
1
: in or at the front
chose a seat up front
2
: in advance
paid up front
3
: in an up-front manner : frankly, forthrightly
expressed his doubts up front
Examples of up-front in a Sentence
Adjective
some hurt feelings could have been spared if he'd been more up-front about whom he was inviting to the party
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
In 2025, a Federal Trade Commission rule took effect requiring up-front pricing for goods and services—including concert tickets—so mandatory fees can’t be hidden until checkout.
—Doug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
The agreement will give Insilico $115 million up front, with the remainder subject to regulatory and commercial milestones, along with royalties on future sales, according to the companies’ announcement Monday.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for up-front
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Adjective
Flagged issues include the company demanding 50% of the funds up-front, and controlling how states measure whether Starlink has been complying with BEAD requirements.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
In 2025, a Federal Trade Commission rule took effect requiring up-front pricing for goods and services—including concert tickets—so mandatory fees can’t be hidden until checkout.
—Doug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
And the struggles up front affected what was already troublesome quarterback play after Conner Harrell’s knee injury in Week 4.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
The agreement will give Insilico $115 million up front, with the remainder subject to regulatory and commercial milestones, along with royalties on future sales, according to the companies’ announcement Monday.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for up-front
Cite this Entry
“Up-front.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/up-front. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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