Meaning & use

front-line

adjective·Academic

Being at the most important, active, or forward position, especially in a conflict or effort.

See it in a sentence

Front-line workers kept hospitals running throughout the worst of the pandemic.

Soldiers stationed at the front-line trenches faced constant danger from enemy fire.

A note on using this word

Front-line is often used figuratively for essential workers, as in front-line staff, beyond its original military sense.

Words with a similar meaning

forefrontvanguard

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

rear

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