upstart

1 of 2

noun

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

upstart

ˈəp-ˈstärt 

adjective

upstart

2 of 2

verb

up·​start ˌəp-ˈstärt 

upstarted; upstarting; upstarts

intransitive verb

: to jump up (as to one's feet) suddenly

Synonyms of upstart

Noun

• arriviste
• parvenu
• adventurer
• nouveau riche

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

Noun

Art history as a discipline favors upstarts, the avant-garde, protest, outsiders, and transgression—all those timeless modernisms. — Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026

How many times during the Nick Saban years did an SEC upstart emerge, then get dismissed by the Tide? — Jason Kirk, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Nielsen and a bevy of rival upstarts are all working to find new ways to capture all types of viewing. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026

Perry Farrell began the Lollapalooza Tour that summer, proving there was a hungry young audience of alternateen kids fiending for upstarts like Nine Inch Nails, Rage Against the Machine, and Perry’s band Jane’s Addiction. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for upstart

• apart
• depart
• flowchart
• forepart
• impart
• pushcart
• rampart
• redstart
• restart
• subpart
• sweetheart
• art

Kids Definition

upstart

noun

up·​start

ˈəp-ˌstärt

: a person who has risen suddenly (as from a low position to wealth or power)

especially : one who makes a great show of success