: 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
Since the 250-pound vehicle qualifies for the FAA’s FAR Part 103 ultralight classification, would-be pilots don’t need a license or certification.
—J. George Gorant, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2025
The rest are a combined 1-15 in the league, and a would-be reckoning at Penn State appears far less daunting now that the Nittany Lions fired their coach and lost their quarterback to injury.
—Dana O'Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Nicklaus was portrayed as being courted by Golf Saudi in the early 2020s for a leadership role in the creation of LIV Golf, the would-be rival to the PGA Tour.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2025
But even as the winds within Melissa are forecast to become powerful gusts, the atmosphere around the storm is calm, leaving the would-be hurricane meandering through the Caribbean.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2025
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J. George Gorant, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2025
The rest are a combined 1-15 in the league, and a would-be reckoning at Penn State appears far less daunting now that the Nittany Lions fired their coach and lost their quarterback to injury.
—Dana O'Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Nicklaus was portrayed as being courted by Golf Saudi in the early 2020s for a leadership role in the creation of LIV Golf, the would-be rival to the PGA Tour.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2025
But even as the winds within Melissa are forecast to become powerful gusts, the atmosphere around the storm is calm, leaving the would-be hurricane meandering through the Caribbean.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 2025.
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