upstart

5 synonyms and 1 antonym for upstart, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — Someone who has suddenly risen to wealth, power, or status and hasn't yet earned proper social acceptance, or who acts arrogant about it.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

kip arriviste nouveau riche parvenu parvenue

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

Someone who has suddenly risen to wealth, power, or status and hasn't yet earned proper social acceptance, or who acts arrogant about it.

“The old partners resented the young upstart who took over the firm.”

kip arriviste nouveau riche parvenu

2. adj

Acting self-important or presumptuous, especially given a short time in a position.

“His upstart attitude annoyed colleagues who had been there for decades.”

parvenu parvenue

Opposites

unpretentious

How to use upstart

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

an upstart company a young upstart dismissed as an upstart

Etymology

From Middle English upstarten, "to spring up" — built from up + start, since an upstart seems to appear suddenly from nowhere.

Full origin of upstart →

Frequently asked questions

What does “upstart” mean?

The word “upstart” means someone who has suddenly risen to wealth, power, or status and hasn't yet earned proper social acceptance, or who acts arrogant about it. In plain terms, someone (or something) that has risen fast and hasn't earned respect for it yet — often used with a dismissive edge.

How do you pronounce “upstart”?

“Upstart” is pronounced UHP-staht (/ˈʌp.stɑɹt/ in IPA).

How do you use “upstart” in a sentence?

Here is “upstart” used in a sentence: “The old partners resented the young upstart who took over the firm.”

What is another word for “upstart”?

Words with a similar meaning to “upstart” include arriviste, nouveau riche and parvenu.

What part of speech is “upstart”?

Depending on how it is used, “upstart” can be a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “upstart” come from?

The word “upstart” comes from Middle English. From Middle English upstarten, "to spring up" — built from up + start, since an upstart seems to appear suddenly from nowhere.

How many meanings does “upstart” have?

“Upstart” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who has suddenly risen to wealth, power, or status and hasn't yet earned proper social acceptance, or who acts arrogant about it.

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parvenu arriviste unpretentious kip

Nearby words

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