up·start
ˈəp-ˌstärt 
1
: one that has risen suddenly (as from a low position to wealth or power) : parvenu
especially
: one that claims more personal importance than is warranted
2
: a start-up enterprise
Examples of upstart in a Sentence
Noun
a young upstart from Harvard who thinks he knows more than the boss
having made their money in oil decades ago, they consider these billionaire dot-commers mere upstarts
Recent Examples on the Web
Earl Carr, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
In the seventies and eighties, the local upstart Bruce Springsteen was a regular patron and occasional performer at the Stone Pony.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
The answer to the betting debate may help determine who has regulatory authority over its platform, and in turn, whether the financial technology upstart can continue to exist in its current form in all 50 states.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 15 July 2025
At that point, the elder Lucie is the favorite and Karolina is only the upstart.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for upstart
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Noun
Although the commercial electric vehicle market grows more consolidated, there is still a chance for such upstarts; by focusing on specific niches and their unique strengths, these companies have a chance to capture still-available market share.
—Earl Carr, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
In the seventies and eighties, the local upstart Bruce Springsteen was a regular patron and occasional performer at the Stone Pony.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
The answer to the betting debate may help determine who has regulatory authority over its platform, and in turn, whether the financial technology upstart can continue to exist in its current form in all 50 states.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 15 July 2025
At that point, the elder Lucie is the favorite and Karolina is only the upstart.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for upstart
Cite this Entry
“Upstart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upstart. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
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