: 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
London — Keir Starmer has thrown down the gauntlet to his potential rivals, defying calls to quit as Britain’s prime minister and instead challenging his would-be opponents to launch a formal challenge against his leadership of the Labour Party.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
And within his own country’s history, particularly, Dhont discovered the fates that met would-be deserters who were caught — brutal sentences often leading to death.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
Cole Young, a MMA fighter and the last living descendant of the legendary warrior Hanzo Hasashi, was introduced as the would-be savior of Earthrealm.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 12 May 2026
Years of soaring home prices, especially in the early part of this decade when rock-bottom mortgage rates fueled a buying frenzy, have left many would-be homebuyers frozen out of the market.
—Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
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Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
And within his own country’s history, particularly, Dhont discovered the fates that met would-be deserters who were caught — brutal sentences often leading to death.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
Cole Young, a MMA fighter and the last living descendant of the legendary warrior Hanzo Hasashi, was introduced as the would-be savior of Earthrealm.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 12 May 2026
Years of soaring home prices, especially in the early part of this decade when rock-bottom mortgage rates fueled a buying frenzy, have left many would-be homebuyers frozen out of the market.
—Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
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 14 May. 2026.
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