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
Terry Savage,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
Moving into a new apartment can require putting down a lot of money up-front.
—
Becca Stanek,
TheWeek,
22 June 2026
Kris Millgate,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
Some have called for the county to issue bonds, Abarca said, in order to pay homeowners back in lump sums up front.
—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for up-front
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show current usage.
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Adjective
But lenders typically charge much higher rates in exchange for lower up-front origination fees.
—
Terry Savage,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
Moving into a new apartment can require putting down a lot of money up-front.
—
Becca Stanek,
TheWeek,
22 June 2026
Adverb
Resting options include double bunk beds in back and queen bed with bamboo mattress up front.
—
Kris Millgate,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
Some have called for the county to issue bonds, Abarca said, in order to pay homeowners back in lump sums up front.
—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
1 July 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 Jul. 2026.
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