: 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 regime has taken every precaution to dissuade would-be rioters, establishing military checkpoints and ordering violent crackdowns on the slightest actions against the state authorities.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
For all the buzz around Crockett, the rest of SXSW felt more dispersed than ever, its seven-day schedule spreading fewer bands across an event dominated by film, tech and would-be creatives on the make.
—Thor Christensen, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Gyllenhaal’s character goes on the honeymoon with his would-be father-in-law, played by Costner, after his fiancée dies two days before their wedding.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
After Antino Lopez kicked away a would-be goal by the Quakes’ Preston Judd in the 74th minute, Thomas made a pair of saves in the 83rd and a diving stop in stoppage time to preserve his second consecutive shutout and third this season the Sounders (3-1-0).
—Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
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Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
For all the buzz around Crockett, the rest of SXSW felt more dispersed than ever, its seven-day schedule spreading fewer bands across an event dominated by film, tech and would-be creatives on the make.
—Thor Christensen, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Gyllenhaal’s character goes on the honeymoon with his would-be father-in-law, played by Costner, after his fiancée dies two days before their wedding.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
After Antino Lopez kicked away a would-be goal by the Quakes’ Preston Judd in the 74th minute, Thomas made a pair of saves in the 83rd and a diving stop in stoppage time to preserve his second consecutive shutout and third this season the Sounders (3-1-0).
—Mercury News, 16 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 19 Mar. 2026.
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