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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Recent Examples of upstart
Surrounded by future Hall of Famers at his position, the 25-year-old upstart registered his first career triple-double in his second career start, continuing to exhibit poise beyond his two years in the league.
—
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2025
Gerard Gallant Gallant excelled with a young group in Florida and with a bunch of upstarts during the nascent stages of the Vegas Golden Knights franchise, including their inaugural campaign that took them all the way to the Stanley Cup Final.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 5 May 2025
But the upstart wrestler is poised to run into one of the biggest challenges of her young career – go after a legendary competitor in Charlotte Flair.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Spark was an early investor in Twitter and counts upstart sports league operator Overtime, Slack and Discord among its portfolio of 50-odd businesses.
—Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upstart
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2025
Gerard Gallant Gallant excelled with a young group in Florida and with a bunch of upstarts during the nascent stages of the Vegas Golden Knights franchise, including their inaugural campaign that took them all the way to the Stanley Cup Final.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 5 May 2025
But the upstart wrestler is poised to run into one of the biggest challenges of her young career – go after a legendary competitor in Charlotte Flair.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Spark was an early investor in Twitter and counts upstart sports league operator Overtime, Slack and Discord among its portfolio of 50-odd businesses.
—Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upstart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upstart
Noun
-
Where’s our charming arriviste?—
Jason Gay,
WSJ,
21 Dec. 2020
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Compared with some of her peers, she was initially seen as an arriviste.—
Caitlin Moscatello,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2023
Noun
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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
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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
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Jeep Large Trunk Expandable Spinner, $349.99 For the adventurer Designed to mirror the adventurous spirit of the Jeep brand, this large trunk boasts an ultra-tough exterior, a spacious interior for overpackers and 360-degree wheels that make maneuvering through airports and campgrounds a breeze.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
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Along for the ride will be fellow adventurers Eric Philips of Australia, Jannicke Mikkelsen of Norway and Rabea Rogge of Germany.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 June 2025
Noun
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The prince’s daughter Concetta is initially enamored of Tancredi, but his eye is caught by the beautiful Angelica, daughter of vulgar nouveau riche neighbor Don Calogero.—
Anthony Paletta,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2025
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In Rivals, Dyer plays a complex, nouveau riche tech entrepreneur who strikes up an unlikely romance with local author Lizzie (Katherine Parkinson).—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upstart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upstart. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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