: 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
At night, hungry would-be patrons sit in order of arrival on a bench outside, as Ramen Arashi doesn’t take reservations.
—Cindy Hirschfeld, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
This lack of faith (and outright animus) toward institutions and public servants has allowed grifters, would-be oligarchs, and cynical political opportunists to fill the void.
—Adam Chandler, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025
And a security alarm at Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson’s mansion scared off would-be burglars in 2024.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025
Even so, the league has some potentially spicy would-be Cinderellas.
—Jim Root, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
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Cindy Hirschfeld, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
This lack of faith (and outright animus) toward institutions and public servants has allowed grifters, would-be oligarchs, and cynical political opportunists to fill the void.
—Adam Chandler, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025
And a security alarm at Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson’s mansion scared off would-be burglars in 2024.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025
Even so, the league has some potentially spicy would-be Cinderellas.
—Jim Root, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for would-be
Dictionary Entries Near would-be
Cite this Entry
“Would-be.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/would-be. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.
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