front line

1 of 2

noun

1

a

: a military line formed by the most advanced tactical combat units

also : front sense 2a(2)

b

: an area of potential or actual conflict or struggle

2

: the most advanced, responsible, or visible position in a field or activity

frontline

2 of 2

adjective

front·​line ˈfrənt-ˌlīn 

1

: relating to, being, or involved in a front line

frontline ambulances

2

: first-rate

frontline teachers

also : first-string

a frontline goalie

Synonyms

Noun

• cutting edge
• forefront
• leading edge
• van
• vanguard

Adjective

• A-OK
• A1
• awesome
• bang-up
• banner
• beautiful
• blue-chip
• blue-ribbon
• boffo
• bonny [chiefly British]
• bonnie
• boss [slang]
• brag
• brave
• bully
• bumper
• capital
• choice
• classic
• cool [slang]
• corking
• crackerjack
• cracking
• dandy
• divine
• dope [slang]
• down [slang]
• dynamite
• excellent
• fab
• fabulous
• famous
• fantabulous [slang]
• fantastic
• fine
• first-class
• first-rate
• first-string
• five-star
• four-star
• gangbusters
• gangbuster
• gilt-edged
• gilt-edge
• gone [slang]
• grand
• great
• groovy
• heavenly
• high-class
• hot
• hype [slang]
• immense
• jim-dandy
• keen
• lovely
• marvelous
• marvellous
• mean
• neat
• nifty
• noble
• number one
• No. 1
• numero uno
• out-of-sight [slang]
• par excellence
• peachy
• peachy keen
• phat [slang]
• prime
• primo [slang]
• prize
• prizewinning
• quality
• radical [slang]
• righteous [slang]
• sensational
• slick
• splendid
• stellar
• sterling
• superb
• superior
• superlative
• supernal
• swell
• terrific
• tip-top
• top
• top-notch
• top-of-the-line
• top-shelf
• topflight
• topping [chiefly British]
• unsurpassed
• wizard [chiefly British]
• wonderful

Examples of front line in a Sentence

Noun

These researchers are on the front line of defense against cancer.

She has been working on the front lines to educate the poor.

Adjective

if I'm having brain surgery, I want it done at a frontline hospital

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Completing the front line will be Rodrygo and a Vinicius Jr. who was criticized back home for still not being his best against opposition hailing from the Pro League which he’s been linked with a big money move to. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025

Jonathan David leads the front line, fresh off yet another stellar season in Europe, while Ali Ahmed, Ismaël Koné, and Tajon Buchanan provide the midfield creativity and pace that can slice through defenses. —Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025

Adjective

Any loss of supply could prove deadly for frontline Ukrainian units. —David Brennan, ABC News, 19 June 2025

President Trump and Elon Musk appeared together one last time in the Oval Office on Friday, marking the exit of the world’s richest man from his frontline political role. —Niall Stanage, The Hill, 30 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for front line

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• byline
• canine