front line

1 of 2

noun

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

frontline

2 of 2

adjective

front·​line ˈfrənt-ˌlīn 

1

: relating to, being, or involved in a front line

frontline ambulances

2

: first-rate

frontline teachers

also : first-string

a frontline goalie

Synonyms

Noun

• cutting edge
• forefront
• leading edge
• van
• vanguard

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

Noun

They were used on the front lines to walk through minefields. —CBS News, 20 Oct. 2024

But for Palestinians, the video sealed a kind of folk-hero status for the dying Hamas leader, who was seen as defiant to the end, fighting on the front lines. —Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 18 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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1