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)
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
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
Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
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
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2025
Eberechi Eze remains their key creative spark, capable of unlocking defenses with his dribbling and vision, while Odsonne Édouard’s movement up front offers a constant outlet on the counter.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for up-front
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Adjective
Plus, the up-front hardware costs (dish, router, and mounting) are higher than for a typical cable or fiber installation.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
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
Adverb
The future prototype has a large set of wheels up front and two smaller pairs in the back.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2025
Eberechi Eze remains their key creative spark, capable of unlocking defenses with his dribbling and vision, while Odsonne Édouard’s movement up front offers a constant outlet on the counter.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 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 5 Nov. 2025.
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