frontline

1 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

front line

2 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

Synonyms of frontline

Adjective

• excellent
• prime
• superb
• great
• terrific
• wonderful
• stellar
• lovely
• fantastic
• awesome
• beautiful
• fabulous
• quality
• hot
• fine
• top
• marvelous
• classic

Noun

• forefront
• leading edge

Examples of frontline in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Noun

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

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Flight attendants, while still dressed appropriately and serving drinks and food to fliers, are also frontline employees during aviation incidents, ushering passengers out on slides or handling other emergency situations. — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 30 May 2026

Submarines are a particular focus, prompting a robust response from frontline NATO states, primarily Norway, the UK and — for now, at least — the US. — Alan Crawford, Bloomberg, 20 Apr. 2026

Noun

New research has found that productivity really does dip over the peak summer months—and that’s because workers, from the front line to corporate management, are ditching their desks to enjoy the warm weather. — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026

His partner, Dominik Szoboszlai, is actually taking up quite an attacking position in the front line, threatening to run in behind, and Florian Wirtz is to his left. — Jon MacKenzie, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for frontline

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