: 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
And, again, travel experts caution that while the lower fares first presented by these budget carriers may be attractive, would-be passengers should carefully consider the full spectrum of costs and benefits.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
How Titanique producers broke all sorts of rules by turning to social media to finance the cult musical’s would-be Broadway run.
—Andy Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026
That would-be expert, author of Every Woman Her Own Physician; or, The Lady’s Medical Assistant (1776), reaches a lot of questionable conclusions.
—Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026
No doubt that playful warmth played a part in him being cast as Luffy, a hilariously nonchalant, yet utterly sincere would-be pirate.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for would-be
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Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
How Titanique producers broke all sorts of rules by turning to social media to finance the cult musical’s would-be Broadway run.
—Andy Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026
That would-be expert, author of Every Woman Her Own Physician; or, The Lady’s Medical Assistant (1776), reaches a lot of questionable conclusions.
—Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026
No doubt that playful warmth played a part in him being cast as Luffy, a hilariously nonchalant, yet utterly sincere would-be pirate.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 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 13 Mar. 2026.
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