social climbing
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.
Showing an early aptitude for social climbing, Clarence Lapowski changed his name to Dillon days before entering college.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025
“I had little interest in piggybacking or social climbing, but a great interest in the politics of literary greatness in America,” she writes.
From New York Times • Mar. 3, 2023
He would just as fervently applaud a character like David Copperfield for making his way up in the world as condemn Uriah Heep for social climbing.
From The Guardian • Jun. 23, 2020
The 50s are a fabulous time to learn, without the urgencies of dating, social climbing or child rearing pinging around in your mind.
From Washington Post • Apr. 8, 2019
The rest were there to participate in the great melodrama of social climbing and career advancement.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
