up-front

adjective

ˌəp-ˈfrənt How to pronounce up-front (audio)
Definition of up-frontnext
as in outspoken
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions some hurt feelings could have been spared if he'd been more up-front about whom he was inviting to the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of up-front Many of the best luxury cruise lines offer all-inclusive packages that include everything from drinks and Wi-Fi to select port excursions, and sometimes even flights and transfers to the ship in one up-front cost. — Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 22 July 2026 Then there is the retrieval camp, which finds up-front modeling too slow and bets on the model instead. — Michael Leone, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 Technology faces multiple barriers V2G projects face hurdles including up-front costs and a lack of universal V2G technology. — Lisa Baertlein, USA Today, 6 July 2026 But lenders typically charge much higher rates in exchange for lower up-front origination fees. — Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for up-front
Recent Examples of Synonyms for up-front
  1. outspoken
  2. honest
  3. candid
  4. frank
  5. straightforward
  6. forthcoming
  7. forthright
Adjective
  • Strahan has been outspoken about his kids in the past, sharing in 2025 that his daughter Isabella Strahan had been diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor, two years prior.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Davis has long been an outspoken advocate for diversity and Black representation, especially in the entertainment industry.
    — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of outspoken
Adjective
  • April 20 – May 20 A plan with friends may work better with a little honest adjusting.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Taurus April 20 – May 20 A plan with friends may work better with a little honest adjusting.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • Agencies need to create opportunities for junior team members to observe client conversations, defend ideas, receive candid feedback and solve real business problems.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Muhl opened up about the family milestone in an Instagram post of her own, which featured several candid shots of the couple spending time with baby Aurelius.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of candid
Adjective
  • And, to be frank, this production just doesn’t achieve the necessary conversational reality.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Panettiere similarly tackled the issue of mental health with frank discussions about her own struggles with substance abuse and postpartum depression.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of frank
Adjective
  • Democrats, with their signature concern for minority rights, had additional reasons to distrust straightforward majority rule.
    — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Your husband merely identified the obvious, most vicious enemy of the people in straightforward terms.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of straightforward
Adjective
  • The oil industry has many risk-takers and there will certainly be more investment forthcoming.
    — Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In addition to the forthcoming Digger and the Days sequel, Cruise is also returning to the Maverick role in a third Top Gun film.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of forthcoming
Adjective
  • One issue with tallying them is that the Pentagon has been less than forthright about many aspects of the conflict.
    — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Each of those pieces of her public-facing persona seemed to naturally grow from a vast discography where Parton established herself as hardscrabble, emotionally forthright and full of intuition.
    — Ethan Beck, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of forthright

Browse Nearby Words

upends
up-front
upgrade
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Up-front.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/up-front. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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