: 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
That relative affordability is prompting some would-be buyers to sign leases instead, a more attainable but often deeply frustrating solution, and one that leaves them unable to accumulate wealth at the pace their parents’ and grandparents’ generations did.
—Jackie Cooperman, Architectural Digest, 16 June 2026
The main entrance is sealed by a forbidding steel gate, pierced only by a peephole through which the durwans can scrutinize would-be visitors.
—Literary Hub, 16 June 2026
In that trial, a jury would decide how much Miami-Dade must pay for a property that the would-be developers purchased last year for about $180 million.
—Douglas Hanks
june 16, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
The film lives and dies by its breakout star as Nikki, the co-worker, friend and would-be love interest.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for would-be
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Jackie Cooperman, Architectural Digest, 16 June 2026
The main entrance is sealed by a forbidding steel gate, pierced only by a peephole through which the durwans can scrutinize would-be visitors.
—Literary Hub, 16 June 2026
In that trial, a jury would decide how much Miami-Dade must pay for a property that the would-be developers purchased last year for about $180 million.
—Douglas Hanks
june 16, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
The film lives and dies by its breakout star as Nikki, the co-worker, friend and would-be love interest.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 June 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 17 Jun. 2026.
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