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
The experience played out like a textbook clash between art and commerce—of indie upstarts versus corporate overlords.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2025
But public workers, journalists, and political upstarts have been building a movement to restore democracy for the public good.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
The craft wave boomed during the 1980s when Big Rock, Boston Beer, Redhook Ale and Sierra Nevada and other upstarts initiated production to challenge the dominance of big brewers like AB InBev and Molson Coors.
—John Kell, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Leading nominee Lady Gaga, Latin Icon Award recipient Ricky Martin and viral video breakouts Sombr and Conan Gray showcased MTV's commitment to balancing veterans and upstarts during the 2025 VMAs.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upstart
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2025
But public workers, journalists, and political upstarts have been building a movement to restore democracy for the public good.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
The craft wave boomed during the 1980s when Big Rock, Boston Beer, Redhook Ale and Sierra Nevada and other upstarts initiated production to challenge the dominance of big brewers like AB InBev and Molson Coors.
—John Kell, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Leading nominee Lady Gaga, Latin Icon Award recipient Ricky Martin and viral video breakouts Sombr and Conan Gray showcased MTV's commitment to balancing veterans and upstarts during the 2025 VMAs.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 Sep. 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
-
Efron has long been an avid traveler and adventurer, often sharing photos and videos from his trips around the world.—
Melody Chiu,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
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Adams first got a hankering for the brand when her Alaskan adventurer father started buying its clothes and gave her the catalogues.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
25 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 9 Oct. 2025.
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