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
Ishan Thakore, NPR, 20 May 2026
In a presentation for young athletes — and for the pro teams and college athletic departments that might invite him to speak — Stripling’s firm uses his story of a baseball prospect that got a $900,000 up-front payment and spent the $500,000 after taxes on a red Lamborghini.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 May 2026
Define a sustainable governance framework up front.
—Scott Paddock, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for up-front
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Adjective
Even with the high up-front cost, the loop is up to 75% cheaper than other ways of decarbonizing those buildings, according to a a 2025 feasibility report, and will be cheaper and greener than staying on steam.
—Ishan Thakore, NPR, 20 May 2026
In a presentation for young athletes — and for the pro teams and college athletic departments that might invite him to speak — Stripling’s firm uses his story of a baseball prospect that got a $900,000 up-front payment and spent the $500,000 after taxes on a red Lamborghini.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
Adverb
The right questions up front are the difference between a restorative stay and an overpriced weekend of marketing.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 May 2026
Define a sustainable governance framework up front.
—Scott Paddock, Forbes.com, 22 May 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 28 May. 2026.
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