: 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
Whatever their motivations, these hunting parties would not succeed, and the elk would elude its would-be killers for a little while longer.
—Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
Unfortunately for would-be sleuths, the former flames were never very vocal about their relationship on social media.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 9 June 2026
Getting a lot of work with the first-team unit, Downs quickly met running back Jaydon Blue in an opening hole for a would-be thud of a tackle that drew some attention from the media spectators.
—Nick Harris
june 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2026
American Log Homes and Cabins, a Charlotte-area company that was the subject of a May investigation by The Charlotte Observer, abruptly shuttered after accepting tens of thousands of dollars each from would-be homeowners nationwide for log cabin kits that were never delivered.
—Amber Gaudet
june 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for would-be
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Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
Unfortunately for would-be sleuths, the former flames were never very vocal about their relationship on social media.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 9 June 2026
Getting a lot of work with the first-team unit, Downs quickly met running back Jaydon Blue in an opening hole for a would-be thud of a tackle that drew some attention from the media spectators.
—Nick Harris
june 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2026
American Log Homes and Cabins, a Charlotte-area company that was the subject of a May investigation by The Charlotte Observer, abruptly shuttered after accepting tens of thousands of dollars each from would-be homeowners nationwide for log cabin kits that were never delivered.
—Amber Gaudet
june 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 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 11 Jun. 2026.
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