: 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
Major biotech companies that churn out made-to-order DNA for scientists have protections in place to keep dangerous biological material out of the hands of would-be evil-doers.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
At an open call, scores of would-be hunks lined up for the gig — and all of them looked like Timothée Chalamet.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
The main event Simpson came out on fire in his first drive, and despite looking in command, faced an immediate setback when star playmaker Ryan Williams dropped a would-be touchdown pass down the seam.
—Dane Brugler, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Total Miami home sales fell nearly 11% from August 2024 as high rates sidelined some would-be owners.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for would-be
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Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
At an open call, scores of would-be hunks lined up for the gig — and all of them looked like Timothée Chalamet.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
The main event Simpson came out on fire in his first drive, and despite looking in command, faced an immediate setback when star playmaker Ryan Williams dropped a would-be touchdown pass down the seam.
—Dane Brugler, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Total Miami home sales fell nearly 11% from August 2024 as high rates sidelined some would-be owners.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 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 8 Oct. 2025.
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