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

But its forces are being stretched elsewhere along the 1,000km (620 miles) long front line and are defenseless against Russia’s deadly aerial glide bombs. —Svitlana Vlasova, CNN, 9 June 2024

Several hundred miles east, driving toward the front line, the sweating coolers at the minimarts and gas stations are loaded with Volia and an array of other energy drinks: Burn, Monster, Non Stop, Hell, Pit Bull and of course the eye-widening veteran of them all, Red Bull. —Jeffrey Gettleman, New York Times, 8 June 2024

Adjective

Also frontline medical personnel: doctors, nurses and others. —Dr. Joel M. Rothaizer, McC, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

The satellite launches have inflamed animosities between the rival Koreas, and both nations have taken steps to breach a previous military agreement meant to ease frontline military tensions. —The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 2 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1915, in the meaning defined at sense 1