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

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

The future-income increases alone greatly exceed the up-front cost of rebuilding, the authors argue. —Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026

Adverb

The Seahawks’ defense faces better matchups against the Patriots, especially up front. —Mike Sando, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026

Leonard Williams and former Texas Longhorn Byron Murphy II have the ability to take over games up front, which allows the play-makers on the back end to shine. —Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 6 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