: 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 five survivors from the first vessel are among the 47 would-be invaders that the regime now has behind bars.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The regulatory uncertainty had led some would-be visitors to conclude they aren’t allowed to rent on Nantucket, said Brian Borgeson, the owner of a charter fishing business who sponsored the measure for lenient rules.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
Seuzeneau warned in an earlier statement that any would-be thieves should think twice before preying upon businesses in Slidell.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Shot over the first days of production, the scene was rigged with cameras on the bonnet of a G-Wagon, capturing chaos as Emma Stone’s character fights back against her would-be captors.
—Tiana Denicola, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
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Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The regulatory uncertainty had led some would-be visitors to conclude they aren’t allowed to rent on Nantucket, said Brian Borgeson, the owner of a charter fishing business who sponsored the measure for lenient rules.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
Seuzeneau warned in an earlier statement that any would-be thieves should think twice before preying upon businesses in Slidell.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Shot over the first days of production, the scene was rigged with cameras on the bonnet of a G-Wagon, capturing chaos as Emma Stone’s character fights back against her would-be captors.
—Tiana Denicola, Variety, 4 Nov. 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 14 Nov. 2025.
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