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
Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 12 June 2026
However, Sharma also framed the memo as being up-front about the major challenges facing the Xbox business.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 10 June 2026
Utkarsh Sood
june 13, New Atlas, 13 June 2026
In other words, homeowners need help both with storm-proofing their homes to reduce damage up front and with paying to repair and rebuild when necessary after a storm.
—The Conversation, Fortune, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for up-front
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Adjective
Avoid companies that do not clearly disclose fees and markups up-front.
—Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 12 June 2026
However, Sharma also framed the memo as being up-front about the major challenges facing the Xbox business.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 10 June 2026
Adverb
The braking setup is identical too, with a single dual-piston caliper and 290-mm disc up front, and a 220-mm disc with a two-piston caliper for the rear.
—Utkarsh Sood
june 13, New Atlas, 13 June 2026
In other words, homeowners need help both with storm-proofing their homes to reduce damage up front and with paying to repair and rebuild when necessary after a storm.
—The Conversation, Fortune, 12 June 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 16 Jun. 2026.
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