parvenus

Definition of parvenusnext
plural of parvenu
as in arrivistes
one who has recently acquired wealth and social position the kind of trophy house that a parvenu buys to prove to people, and to himself, that he has indeed arrived

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for parvenus
Noun
  • And yet, the digital arrivistes could only gain so much traction with a broader customer base and needed a boost from tie-ins with old-school counterparts.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Certainly there’s a long and distinguished tradition of associating Jewish arrivistes with entrepreneurialism, avarice, and clannishness.
    Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • And then there’s a number of smaller upstarts such as LMNT and Unwell Hydration from podcaster Alex Cooper.
    Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 13 May 2026
  • This October marks the festival’s inaugural run in Miami Beach, but the event is already poised to become a must-attend affair for everyone from independent creatives to brand executives, corporate gurus and scrappy upstarts.
    Caitlin White, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Parvenus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parvenus. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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