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
Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
This reduces the ability to recoup up-front AI investments, particularly when there’s little client lock-in, no network effects, and no moat.
PolyAI chose to remain a software company, partnering with BPOs rather than acquiring them.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 June 2025
Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 11 July 2025
More inventory and longer days on the market mean sellers are having to renegotiate the starting prices up front now to attract the right buyers.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for up-front
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Adjective
The value of up-front deductions against taxes is no more than the fees our investment instruments charge.
—Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
This reduces the ability to recoup up-front AI investments, particularly when there’s little client lock-in, no network effects, and no moat.
PolyAI chose to remain a software company, partnering with BPOs rather than acquiring them.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 June 2025
Adverb
Even better if that player can fill in up front, too.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 11 July 2025
More inventory and longer days on the market mean sellers are having to renegotiate the starting prices up front now to attract the right buyers.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 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 20 Jul. 2025.
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