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
Constant Méheut, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2024
Artillery is typically described as responsible for a large percentage of casualties along the hundreds of miles of front lines snaking through eastern and southern Ukraine.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 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 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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about these examples.
Noun
Russia’s rapid advance is a striking change from the situation last year, when the front lines remained mostly static, with both sides launching ambitious offensives that largely failed.
—Constant Méheut, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2024
Artillery is typically described as responsible for a large percentage of casualties along the hundreds of miles of front lines snaking through eastern and southern Ukraine.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 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 14 Nov. 2024.
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