as in forefronts
the leading or most important part of a movement
Susan B. Anthony was on the front line of the struggle for woman suffrage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of front lines
The goal is not to replace soldiers on the front lines, but to eliminate the burdens, risks, and drudgery of military upkeep.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
His incorrect assertion that NATO allies had not served on Afghanistan's front lines, later walked back, reinforced a broader perception that times and realities had shifted.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
In the front lines of combat between scientists and bacteria, there's a notorious group of bugs that belong to a nefarious organization known as ESKAPE.
—New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2026
Some, Heraskevych said, were killed on the front lines; at least one died while trying to distribute aid to fellow Ukrainians.
—Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
This is a lot to ask of a feral brigade of extremely bright, wealthy, and sleepless twentysomethings dispatched to the front lines of an arms race that their bosses started.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The scale of the war effort had necessitated the creation of a health infrastructure on American soil—spraying for mosquitoes near the front lines in the Pacific wouldn’t mean anything if soldiers caught malaria at home before deployment.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
Remember, librarians are on the front lines of fighting for our right to read.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Glamour reports from the front lines.
—Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 7 Feb. 2026
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
His incorrect assertion that NATO allies had not served on Afghanistan's front lines, later walked back, reinforced a broader perception that times and realities had shifted.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
In the front lines of combat between scientists and bacteria, there's a notorious group of bugs that belong to a nefarious organization known as ESKAPE.
—New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2026
Some, Heraskevych said, were killed on the front lines; at least one died while trying to distribute aid to fellow Ukrainians.
—Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
This is a lot to ask of a feral brigade of extremely bright, wealthy, and sleepless twentysomethings dispatched to the front lines of an arms race that their bosses started.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The scale of the war effort had necessitated the creation of a health infrastructure on American soil—spraying for mosquitoes near the front lines in the Pacific wouldn’t mean anything if soldiers caught malaria at home before deployment.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
Remember, librarians are on the front lines of fighting for our right to read.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Glamour reports from the front lines.
—Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for front lines
Noun
-
Coworth forefronts its equestrian roots, with stables on site as well as polo fields.—
Lydia Bell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Traveling over five times the speed of sound generates immense friction and drag, resulting in the leading edges reaching temperatures beyond 1,650 °C (3,000 °F).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
So it was decreed that the cutting edges of knives should be turned towards their owners, thus symbolizing their peaceful intent.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Front lines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/front%20lines. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
