up-and-coming
On the ascent
Up-and-coming describes someone or something gaining prominence and likely to succeed: an up-and-coming neighborhood, an up-and-coming young actor.
The phrase suggests momentum—not yet arrived, but clearly on the way.
It applies to people, businesses, areas, or movements showing early promise.
Act of ascending
- emergingComing into view
- promisingShowing signs of success
- ambitiousStrongly desiring achievement
- aspiringSeeking to achieve
breakthrough · rookie · newcomer · protégé · talent · prodigy · hustling · climbing
Luminous astronomical object
- celebrityWidely recognized public figure
- influencerPerson with promotional reach
- viralSpreading quickly online
- trendingCurrently gaining widespread attention
debut · breakthrough · discovered · signed · audition · spotlight · buzz · hype
Potential client or opportunity
- draftPreliminary version of text
- recruitNew member sought
- rookieInexperienced newcomer
- phenomExceptional talent, informally
sensation · scouting · combine · academy · youth · junior · developmental · minor-league
New business enterprise
- entrepreneurOne who starts businesses
- founderOne who begins something
- disruptorOne who overturns norms
- innovatorCreator of new methods
venture · pitch · investor · incubator · accelerator · unicorn · growth · scaling
Renovating while displacing residents
- revitalizingRestoring strength or energy
- trendyCurrently in vogue
- hipFashionable or pelvic joint
- developingBecoming more advanced
redevelopment · renovation · lofts · cafes · boutiques · galleries · breweries · walkable
rising
Act of ascending
aspiring · breakthrough · rookie · newcomer · protégé · talent · prodigy · hustling · climbing · driven
star
Luminous astronomical object
- celebrityWidely recognized public figure
- influencerPerson with promotional reach
- viralSpreading quickly online
trending · debut · breakthrough · discovered · signed · audition · spotlight · buzz · hype · fanbase
prospect
Potential client or opportunity
phenom · sensation · scouting · combine · academy · youth · junior · developmental · minor-league · potential
startup
New business enterprise
- entrepreneurOne who starts businesses
- founderOne who begins something
- disruptorOne who overturns norms
innovator · venture · pitch · investor · incubator · accelerator · unicorn · growth · scaling · bootstrapping
gentrifying
Renovating while displacing residents
- revitalizingRestoring strength or energy
- trendyCurrently in vogue
- hipFashionable or pelvic joint
developing · redevelopment · renovation · lofts · cafes · boutiques · galleries · breweries · walkable · rezoning
- famefame, famous, celebrity, renown, famed
- listing lingofixer-upper, handyman special, starter home, move-in ready, priced to sell
up-and-comingwashed-up
No longer successful
declining · fading · past one's prime · has-been · on the way out
up-and-comingestablished
Formally set up
veteran · old guard · entrenched · incumbent · institution
up-and-comingunambitious
Lacking desire for achievement
unenterprising · complacent · unmotivated · content · aimless
coming, income, outcome, upcoming, comeuppance, up-and-comer