: desiring, intending, professing, or having the potential to be
tips for would-be mothers and fathers
The conference, held over the Labor Day weekend, drew 1200 to 1300 writers and would-be writers to the Hawaiian island this year …—
John F. Baker
John F. BakerPossibly the most hilarious and outrageous character was Joey Tribbiani, a would-be actor who struggles to find success in his chosen profession …—The Cheat Sheet
The Cheat SheetShe's a clueless, would-be do-gooder without much self-awareness.—Maureen Ryan
Maureen RyanExamples of would-be in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The mother pointed to her daughter's assault while warning of would-be threats that others may face.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 31 Aug. 2025
The fight for control over Washington’s streets these days is not — as President Donald Trump portrays it — much of a clash between law enforcement and would-be criminals.
—Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Goth seems ready to make her mark in a would-be sequel Bride Of Frankenstein should del Toro be so inclined.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025
In the more than two months that have passed since the call, Trump has ramped up tariffs against his would-be partner.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for would-be
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Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 31 Aug. 2025
The fight for control over Washington’s streets these days is not — as President Donald Trump portrays it — much of a clash between law enforcement and would-be criminals.
—Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Goth seems ready to make her mark in a would-be sequel Bride Of Frankenstein should del Toro be so inclined.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025
In the more than two months that have passed since the call, Trump has ramped up tariffs against his would-be partner.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for would-be
Cite this Entry
“Would-be.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/would-be. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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