as in arriviste
one who has recently acquired wealth and social position
having made their money in oil decades ago, they consider these billionaire dot-commers mere upstarts
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of upstart
Chreece’s track record of tapping promising upstarts precedes it, with rising stars like Benny the Butcher and Jordan Ward performing in past years.
—
Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 15 Aug. 2025
In the other corner is Katie Ginella, the new upstart, who in two seasons has managed to create lies about every woman on the show, then lie about those lies, and then make up stories about the lies, and then leak those stories to bloggers.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
In elections, voters may choose a change agent or trouble maker and then regret that the upstart is acting unacceptably.
—Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
This will affect the upstarts the most, some of which will probably get gobbled up by larger competitors.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upstart
Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 15 Aug. 2025
In the other corner is Katie Ginella, the new upstart, who in two seasons has managed to create lies about every woman on the show, then lie about those lies, and then make up stories about the lies, and then leak those stories to bloggers.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
In elections, voters may choose a change agent or trouble maker and then regret that the upstart is acting unacceptably.
—Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
This will affect the upstarts the most, some of which will probably get gobbled up by larger competitors.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upstart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upstart
Noun
-
Compared with some of her peers, she was initially seen as an arriviste.—
Caitlin Moscatello,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2023
-
Her circle includes an aunt who is a champion wrestler, a resident Goth named Isabel and sultry Penny Century, an arriviste married to a wealthy magnate with horns on his head.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
In 1952, backed by little more than his reputation as a war hero and a fortune staked by his parvenu father, 35-year-old John F. Kennedy swiped a Senate seat from Republican Henry Cabot Lodge, himself a wealthy combat veteran.—
Kevin Mahnken,
The New Republic,
1 Sep. 2020
-
Raveendran, at least on paper, assumes his place among those parvenus thanks to his effort in internet education.—
Saritha Rai,
Fortune,
29 July 2019
Noun
-
The project takes place over the course of a year, showing the preparation required for the arduous experience as the climbers train alongside such prominent figures as Free Solo subject Alex Honnold and renowned adventurer Philip Henderson.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
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The globetrotting adventurer was previously portrayed onscreen in two films by Angelina Jolie and in another by Alicia Vikander.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The rule dates back to the 19th century and was founded by old-money circles in the Northeast to differentiate themselves from the nouveau riche trying to infiltrate the social elite.—
Starr Bowenbank,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
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But Ahlers’ Jack is not content to become a nouveau riche nightmare, having spent the bulk of recent episodes dragging his feet about leaving the home and his employers, Agnes and Ada (Christine Baranski and Cynthia Nixon), whom he’s known for so long.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upstart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upstart. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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