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
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Founded in 2018, the upstart sailing league involves 12 international teams racing on high-speed, 50-foot Catamarans, known as F50s.
—Harriet Taylor, CNBC, 19 Mar. 2025
Led by Addison Harding’s big day in the paint (16 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks), University survived an upset bid from upstart Delta to win the Class 4A title game and finish the season 28-0.
—Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2025
The challenges are mounting, from the pace of licensing to federal tax requirements, and regulations that aren’t always clear to upstarts.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upstart
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.
Noun
Dookie, which helped turn the pop-punk upstarts into global superstars decades ago, declines a pair of rungs, making a home at No. 28 this week.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Founded in 2018, the upstart sailing league involves 12 international teams racing on high-speed, 50-foot Catamarans, known as F50s.
—Harriet Taylor, CNBC, 19 Mar. 2025
Led by Addison Harding’s big day in the paint (16 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks), University survived an upset bid from upstart Delta to win the Class 4A title game and finish the season 28-0.
—Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2025
The challenges are mounting, from the pace of licensing to federal tax requirements, and regulations that aren’t always clear to upstarts.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 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 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share