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
Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Kolin Straub, a Black officer who worked the front lines.
—Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Jan. 2025
Katya Soldak, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Initial Western estimates put the size of the frontline Russian force in Ukraine at 120 battalion tactical groups, which would total at most 120,000 people.
—Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 8 July 2022
See all Example Sentences for front line 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The firefighters make between $5.80 and $10.24 daily as well as an additional $1 hourly wage on the front lines, for shifts that can last as long as 24 hours, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
—Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Kolin Straub, a Black officer who worked the front lines.
—Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
This is especially true for frontline cities and towns like Kharkiv.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Initial Western estimates put the size of the frontline Russian force in Ukraine at 120 battalion tactical groups, which would total at most 120,000 people.
—Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 8 July 2022
See all Example Sentences for front line
Articles Related to front line
Dictionary Entries Near front line
Cite this Entry
“Front line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/front%20line. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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