nouveau riche

as in parvenu
one who has recently acquired wealth and social position a nouveau riche who is reportedly using his money to buy his way into Palm Beach society

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of nouveau riche The Sun Devils are nouveau riche to this rarified air. Matthew Self, The Arizona Republic, 5 Dec. 2024 The battle of the nouveau riche could just as easily be referred to as the Oil Firm. Darren Richman, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025 Advertisement Who does Johnson consider nouveau riche? Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024 The central question of whether love can conquer money is almost outshone by the film’s dazzling surroundings and Rachel’s nouveau riche friends, played perfectly by Awkwafina and Ken Jeong. Vogue, 10 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for nouveau riche
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nouveau riche
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
  • Like so many rivalries, this comes steeped in its own lore and stereotypes: River the rich kids from the Belgrano neighbourhood, Boca the plucky upstarts, street fighters from the wrong side of the tracks.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 9 June 2025
  • Powered by Juvenile, B.G., and Turk, Wayne was a young upstart, sliding in as an edgy wildcard capable of pouncing on any beat with ruthless intentions.
    Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Nouveau riche.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nouveau%20riche. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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