as in forefronts
the leading or most important part of a movement
Susan B. Anthony was on the front line of the struggle for woman suffrage
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Recent Examples of front lines
This is a lot to ask of a feral brigade of extremely bright, wealthy, and sleepless twentysomethings dispatched to the front lines of an arms race that their bosses started.
—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The scale of the war effort had necessitated the creation of a health infrastructure on American soil—spraying for mosquitoes near the front lines in the Pacific wouldn’t mean anything if soldiers caught malaria at home before deployment.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
Remember, librarians are on the front lines of fighting for our right to read.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Last week Glamour spent time in Minnesota and followed women on the front lines for a glimpse into all the work that is being done, in ways both big and small.
—Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 7 Feb. 2026
Manatee County is already on the front lines.
—Max Chesnes, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
Nearly four years later, Russian forces continue to grind along the front lines achieving incremental territorial gains at an extremely high cost, while Ukraine has managed to retake vast areas that Moscow initially invaded.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
Based in San Francisco, Calamia is on the front lines, advocating for non-binary divisions within major marathons across the United States.
—Jayden Gonzalez, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
As Frank experimented with different front lines, either due to injuries or lack of attacking chemistry, the 20-year-old remained on the fringes behind Wilson Odobert, Randal Kolo Muani and even Brennan Johnson, who was sold to Crystal Palace for £35million ($47m) on January 2.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The scale of the war effort had necessitated the creation of a health infrastructure on American soil—spraying for mosquitoes near the front lines in the Pacific wouldn’t mean anything if soldiers caught malaria at home before deployment.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
Remember, librarians are on the front lines of fighting for our right to read.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Last week Glamour spent time in Minnesota and followed women on the front lines for a glimpse into all the work that is being done, in ways both big and small.
—Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 7 Feb. 2026
Manatee County is already on the front lines.
—Max Chesnes, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
Nearly four years later, Russian forces continue to grind along the front lines achieving incremental territorial gains at an extremely high cost, while Ukraine has managed to retake vast areas that Moscow initially invaded.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
Based in San Francisco, Calamia is on the front lines, advocating for non-binary divisions within major marathons across the United States.
—Jayden Gonzalez, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
As Frank experimented with different front lines, either due to injuries or lack of attacking chemistry, the 20-year-old remained on the fringes behind Wilson Odobert, Randal Kolo Muani and even Brennan Johnson, who was sold to Crystal Palace for £35million ($47m) on January 2.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for front lines
Noun
-
Coworth forefronts its equestrian roots, with stables on site as well as polo fields.—
Lydia Bell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Traveling over five times the speed of sound generates immense friction and drag, resulting in the leading edges reaching temperatures beyond 1,650 °C (3,000 °F).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
So it was decreed that the cutting edges of knives should be turned towards their owners, thus symbolizing their peaceful intent.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Front lines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/front%20lines. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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