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
Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2025
Other times, an upstart rushes in on the heels of a popular film and steals the night.
—Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
While this might be an advantage for newer companies such as Suki that are unencumbered by legacy systems, these upstarts also face challenges in terms of resources and market presence compared to giants such as Google and Microsoft.
—Melody Brue, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
More recently, the country has backed a new global circuit for padel, as well as MMA upstart One Championship.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upstart
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Noun
Magic fans, players, coaches and management believed Breakout Season had ushered in a new era for the franchise — one where the team was no longer just a spunky upstart but a legitimate playoff contender.
—Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2025
Other times, an upstart rushes in on the heels of a popular film and steals the night.
—Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
While this might be an advantage for newer companies such as Suki that are unencumbered by legacy systems, these upstarts also face challenges in terms of resources and market presence compared to giants such as Google and Microsoft.
—Melody Brue, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
More recently, the country has backed a new global circuit for padel, as well as MMA upstart One Championship.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 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 12 Mar. 2025.
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