upstart

[ noun adjective uhp-stahrt; verb uhp-stahrt ]

noun

1. a person who has risen suddenly from a humble position to wealth, power, or a position of consequence.
2. a presumptuous and objectionable person who has so risen; parvenu.

adjective

1. being, resembling, or characteristic of an upstart.

verb (used without object)

1. to spring into existence or into view.
2. to start up; spring up, as to one's feet.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to start up.

upstart

noun

1. 1. a person, group, etc, that has risen suddenly to a position of power or wealth
   2. ( as modifier )

      an upstart family

      an upstart tyrant

2. 1. an arrogant or presumptuous person
   2. ( as modifier )

      his upstart ambition

verb

1. archaic.
   intr to start up, as in surprise, etc

Other Words From

• upstartness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of upstart¹

1275–1325; Middle English (v.); up-, start

Example Sentences

The Associated Press called the race for one of Pennsylvania's two Senate seats on Wednesday, saying that Republican upstart David McCormick had defeated incumbent Sen. Bob Casey.

From Salon

Why should there be a pathway back to the establishment for those golfers who disrupted the sport’s eco-system and took millions to defect to the upstarts?

From BBC

As the Dodgers embark on a quick turnaround for the NLCS, here are nine things to know about the Mets — and the concerns their upstart opponents might pose.

From Los Angeles Times

The Dodgers now host the upstart New York Mets in the National League Championship beginning here Sunday, a seven-game duel with the winner advancing to the World Series.

From Los Angeles Times

Websites, meanwhile, are wary of the shifting sands of online advertising - and fearful of losing revenue to more upstart parts of the online world, such as influencers.

From BBC