Upstart

An upstart is a person who has suddenly risen to a higher position or gained power, wealth, or influence and is often perceived as being arrogant, presumptuous, or lacking the experience and respect considered appropriate for their new status. This individual may be seen as flaunting their success or behaving in a way that disregards established customs or social norms. The term often implies a degree of disapproval, suggesting that the person's rise is perceived as unwarranted or overly ambitious, and that they have not earned their elevated status through traditional means or appropriate deference to those with greater experience. Often upstarts will boast of their accomplishments or engage in ostentatious displays of their newfound success. Their behaviors are perceived by established elites and others as being ill-mannered or brash.

Upstart meaning with examples

• The young entrepreneur, a college dropout who built his tech empire from scratch, was labeled an upstart by industry veterans who had spent decades climbing the corporate ladder. They saw his rapid success as a threat and his brash marketing tactics as unprofessional, while at the same time they secretly wished for that level of success themselves.
• Despite the team's incredible underdog story, the manager’s audacious celebrations after each win and outspoken comments made him seem like an upstart in the eyes of the long-suffering fans, who saw him as a spoiled, arrogant winner who forgot where he came from.
• The newly-minted socialite, having inherited her fortune, was considered an upstart by the old guard, who felt she lacked the lineage and refined manners to fit into their exclusive circles. They looked down on her extravagant spending habits and attempts to gain their approval.
• After winning the competition, the aspiring chef’s arrogant demeanor and disregard for the senior chefs’ advice earned him the reputation of an upstart. His refusal to follow traditional recipes caused friction.
• The new government, composed of youthful politicians with radical ideas, was perceived as an upstart by the established political parties, who resented their challenges to the existing power structure and their promises to completely overhaul everything.