1
a
: a military line formed by the most advanced tactical combat units
also
: front sense 2a(2)
b
: an area of potential or actual conflict or struggle
2
: the most advanced, responsible, or visible position in a field or activity
front·line
ˈfrənt-ˌlīn 
1
: relating to, being, or involved in a front line
frontline ambulances
2
: first-rate
frontline teachers
Synonyms
Noun
Adjective
- A-OK
- A1
- awesome
- bang-up
- banner
- beautiful
- blue-chip
- blue-ribbon
- boffo
- bonny [chiefly British]
- bonnie
- boss [slang]
- brag
- brave
- bully
- bumper
- capital
- choice
- classic
- cool [slang]
- corking
- crackerjack
- cracking
- dandy
- divine
- dope [slang]
- down [slang]
- dynamite
- excellent
- fab
- fabulous
- famous
- fantabulous [slang]
- fantastic
- fine
- first-class
- first-rate
- first-string
- five-star
- four-star
- gangbusters
- gangbuster
- gilt-edged
- gilt-edge
- gone [slang]
- grand
- great
- groovy
- heavenly
- high-class
- hot
- hype [slang]
- immense
- jim-dandy
- keen
- lovely
- marvelous
- marvellous
- mean
- neat
- nifty
- noble
- number one
- No. 1
- numero uno
- out-of-sight [slang]
- par excellence
- peachy
- peachy keen
- phat [slang]
- prime
- primo [slang]
- prize
- prizewinning
- quality
- radical [slang]
- righteous [slang]
- sensational
- slick
- splendid
- stellar
- sterling
- superb
- superior
- superlative
- supernal
- swell
- terrific
- tip-top
- top
- top-notch
- top-of-the-line
- top-shelf
- topflight
- topping [chiefly British]
- unsurpassed
- wizard [chiefly British]
- wonderful
Examples of front line in a Sentence
Noun
These researchers are on the front line of defense against cancer.
She has been working on the front lines to educate the poor.
Adjective
if I'm having brain surgery, I want it done at a frontline hospital
Recent Examples on the Web
Fox News, 7 May 2024
As with many Japanese businesses, Kansai implemented a Kaizen approach to the operation of moving baggage, looking to continually improve and implement suggestions from workers on the front lines.
—Bradley Brownell / Jalopnik, Quartz, 6 May 2024
And most train stations along the front line have been attacked by the Russians, and so are not operational.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2024
However, the political wrangling left Ukraine with severe ammunition shortages, leaving its defensive lines dangerously exposed across the 600-mile front line, and Russia has used the delays to push for new ground in Donetsk.
—Daryna Mayer, NBC News, 30 Apr. 2024
Now, as the weather improves, some of the country’s allies — and even some Ukrainian defense officials — have voiced concerns about whether Russian forces might exploit weakness in Ukrainian fortifications and break through somewhere along the front lines.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2024
The work put her on the front lines, since drone pilots must operate from the heat of a conflict zone.
—Paul Mozur Adam Ferguson, New York Times, 4 May 2024
The athletic departments serve as the front lines for improvement, but campus support is essential to any material change.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 3 May 2024
The labor market upheaval over the past few years, often called the Great Resignation, forced organizations to become more competitive than ever with their hiring strategies and put HR on the front line of that battle.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 2 May 2024
Dr. Joel M. Rothaizer, McC, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
The satellite launches have inflamed animosities between the rival Koreas, and both nations have taken steps to breach a previous military agreement meant to ease frontline military tensions.
—The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 2 Dec. 2023
The elevator and escalator manufacturer’s team has a lot of frontline essential workers who remained active throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
—John Kell, Fortune, 23 June 2023
In states where cancer patients are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, limited supply keeps them waiting as health care workers, frontline essential workers, nursing home residents and staff, and other Americans with underlying health conditions fill up available appointments.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2021
Researchers believe changes there help the virus bind more tightly to our cells and hide from frontline immune defenders called antibodies that try to block the virus from invading our cells.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 3 May 2022
Also, frontline essential works, such as firefighters, educators (including teachers, day care workers, and support staff), grocery store employees, public transit workers, postal workers, food and agricultural workers, manufacturing workers, police officers, and corrections officers.
—Matt Jancer, Wired, 11 Mar. 2021
Ukraine first deployed DroneHunter last May to chase down the Group 1 and 2 drones that Russia was using to spy on frontline Ukrainian troops.
—Jason Sherman, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2023
The majority of damage is concentrated in frontline eastern regions, including Donetsk, Kharkiv and Luhansk.
—Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 24 Mar. 2023
Noun
Such weather particularly hampers the military that is strung out on multiple front lines by blunting the advantage of its air power, analysts said.
—Fox News, 7 May 2024
As with many Japanese businesses, Kansai implemented a Kaizen approach to the operation of moving baggage, looking to continually improve and implement suggestions from workers on the front lines.
—Bradley Brownell / Jalopnik, Quartz, 6 May 2024
And most train stations along the front line have been attacked by the Russians, and so are not operational.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2024
However, the political wrangling left Ukraine with severe ammunition shortages, leaving its defensive lines dangerously exposed across the 600-mile front line, and Russia has used the delays to push for new ground in Donetsk.
—Daryna Mayer, NBC News, 30 Apr. 2024
Now, as the weather improves, some of the country’s allies — and even some Ukrainian defense officials — have voiced concerns about whether Russian forces might exploit weakness in Ukrainian fortifications and break through somewhere along the front lines.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2024
The work put her on the front lines, since drone pilots must operate from the heat of a conflict zone.
—Paul Mozur Adam Ferguson, New York Times, 4 May 2024
The athletic departments serve as the front lines for improvement, but campus support is essential to any material change.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 3 May 2024
The labor market upheaval over the past few years, often called the Great Resignation, forced organizations to become more competitive than ever with their hiring strategies and put HR on the front line of that battle.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 2 May 2024
Adjective
Also frontline medical personnel: doctors, nurses and others.
—Dr. Joel M. Rothaizer, McC, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
The satellite launches have inflamed animosities between the rival Koreas, and both nations have taken steps to breach a previous military agreement meant to ease frontline military tensions.
—The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 2 Dec. 2023
The elevator and escalator manufacturer’s team has a lot of frontline essential workers who remained active throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
—John Kell, Fortune, 23 June 2023
In states where cancer patients are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, limited supply keeps them waiting as health care workers, frontline essential workers, nursing home residents and staff, and other Americans with underlying health conditions fill up available appointments.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2021
Researchers believe changes there help the virus bind more tightly to our cells and hide from frontline immune defenders called antibodies that try to block the virus from invading our cells.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 3 May 2022
Also, frontline essential works, such as firefighters, educators (including teachers, day care workers, and support staff), grocery store employees, public transit workers, postal workers, food and agricultural workers, manufacturing workers, police officers, and corrections officers.
—Matt Jancer, Wired, 11 Mar. 2021
Ukraine first deployed DroneHunter last May to chase down the Group 1 and 2 drones that Russia was using to spy on frontline Ukrainian troops.
—Jason Sherman, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2023
The majority of damage is concentrated in frontline eastern regions, including Donetsk, Kharkiv and Luhansk.
—Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 24 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'front line.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Front line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/front%20line. Accessed 12 May. 2024.
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