up-front

1 of 2

adjective

ˌəp-ˈfrənt 

ˈəp-ˌfrənt

: 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)

up front

2 of 2

adverb

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

Synonyms of up-front

Adjective

• outspoken
• honest
• candid
• frank
• straightforward
• forthcoming
• forthright

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

Adjective

The transition includes tens of millions in up-front costs and requires a fundamentally new financial approach for a school that has enjoyed its FCS success on a discount. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 11 Feb. 2026

If the project falls through or is unable generate enough incremental tax revenue, Vantage won't be paid back for its up-front investments through the $456 million tax incremental financing district approved in November. —Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 3 Feb. 2026

Adverb

Washington’s void up front was glaring last season, and became especially so when defensive end Dorance Armstrong went down with a season-ending injury. —The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026

And much of that dirty work for the defenses started up front, with the defensive lines. —Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1945, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for up-front

• affront
• confront
• exeunt
• forefront
• lakefront
• manhunt
• sederunt
• battlefront
• oceanfront
• riverfront
• waterfront
• blunt