ˌəp-ˈfrənt 
ˈəp-ˌfrənt
: being or coming in or at the front: such as
a(1)
: frank, forthright
(2)
: being in a conspicuous or leading position
b
: paid or payable in advance
c
: playing in a front line (as in football)
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
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
Cunningham, however, was more up-front, calling out WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
—Zach Powell, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
To combat this, reach for this set that features a zip-up front.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for up-front
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Adjective
That’s an enormous up-front investment for pediatric practices, generally second only to employees in terms of cost.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
Cunningham, however, was more up-front, calling out WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
—Zach Powell, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Adverb
The Ravens just aren’t moving guys up front to consistently give their ball carriers holes and space, and the interior guys, in particular, are struggling to contain penetration.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
To combat this, reach for this set that features a zip-up front.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for up-front
Cite this Entry
“Up-front.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/up-front. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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