: 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 Wednesday’s news conference, Woo begged would-be visitors to stay out of the Sierra Nevada until the storm passes later this week.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Affordability remains a challenge for millions of would-be homebuyers and continues to restrain the housing market.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 17 Feb. 2026
Those included building would-be alternatives to the likes of Twitter and Spotify.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
In the vast majority of cases, the rent-to-own happens almost naturally as part of a preexisting relationship between the would-be seller and the would-be homeowner.
—Michael Y. Park, Architectural Digest, 17 Feb. 2026
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Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Affordability remains a challenge for millions of would-be homebuyers and continues to restrain the housing market.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 17 Feb. 2026
Those included building would-be alternatives to the likes of Twitter and Spotify.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
In the vast majority of cases, the rent-to-own happens almost naturally as part of a preexisting relationship between the would-be seller and the would-be homeowner.
—Michael Y. Park, Architectural Digest, 17 Feb. 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 20 Feb. 2026.
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