upstart
noun
a person who has risen suddenly from a humble position to wealth, power, or a position of consequence.
upstarts
-
present tense formof upstart (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The design-software company has struggled to convince investors that its pricing model and artificial-intelligence offerings are enough to compete with cheaper upstarts, and Bank of America’s Tal Liani isn’t optimistic that sentiment will change.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 7, 2026
The man who shockingly demoted then-24-year-old goalkeeper Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa in favor of a more experienced player prior to the 2010 World Cup was now relying on upstarts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026
Faced with losing ground to fast-growing, technologically advanced and cheaper Chinese upstarts around the world, some automakers are choosing to join with them instead of trying to beat them.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 25, 2026
Understanding what any upstarts are up against can help, though.
From Barron's ● May 18, 2026
I go with one of the young English upstarts and choose a slightly exaggerated, magnificently tailored suit that emphasizes my new, waspy figure.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
