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
David Axe, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Classical music has been on the front lines in a year marked by division and distraction, protest and intolerance, war and suffering.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 8 July 2022
Also frontline medical personnel: doctors, nurses and others.
—Dr. Joel M. Rothaizer, McC, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
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
Russian troops are slowly advancing in several critical sectors along the 800-mile front line of Russia’s wider war on Ukraine.
—David Axe, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Classical music has been on the front lines in a year marked by division and distraction, protest and intolerance, war and suffering.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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
Also frontline medical personnel: doctors, nurses and others.
—Dr. Joel M. Rothaizer, McC, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
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 12 Dec. 2024.
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