variants or upfront
Synonyms of up-frontnext
: 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)

up front

2 of 2

adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Leasing data centers The ratings firm noted that because AI hardware and infrastructure require massive up-front investment while revenue materializes over a longer time horizon, free cash flow across the sector is coming under pressure. Hugh Son, CNBC, 24 July 2026 Many of the best luxury cruise lines offer all-inclusive packages that include everything from drinks and Wi-Fi to select port excursions, and sometimes even flights and transfers to the ship in one up-front cost. Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 22 July 2026
Adverb
Instead of asking an influencer to guess what a brand can afford, a brand can share its budget range up front. Chris Ryan, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026 The offensive line With free-agent additions Wyatt Teller and Braden Smith, and first-round draft pick Keylan Rutledge, Houston looks to have three new starters up front on offense. Josh Kendall, New York Times, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for up-front

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1945, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of up-front was in 1937

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Up-front.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/up-front. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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