ˌəp-ˈfrənt 
ˈəp-ˌfrənt
: 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
New Atlas, 21 Feb. 2026
The goal is to give small business owners a chance to test out the experience of running a brick-and-mortar storefront with fewer commitments and up-front costs.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Nicolas Niarchos, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Arizona’s performance up front last season was terrible, so immediate help is needed.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for up-front
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Adjective
Isaac 0 is currently available to pre-order for folks in the Bay Area for US$7,999 up-front or a $450 monthly subscription with a $250 refundable deposit.
—New Atlas, 21 Feb. 2026
The goal is to give small business owners a chance to test out the experience of running a brick-and-mortar storefront with fewer commitments and up-front costs.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Adverb
Joseph arranged a meeting at which his father asked for $20 million up front in exchange for a diamond monopoly.
—Nicolas Niarchos, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Arizona’s performance up front last season was terrible, so immediate help is needed.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 19 Feb. 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 26 Feb. 2026.
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