: 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
David Otto’s family owned a steakhouse, and the would-be music agent grew up on a diet of red meat.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
But contracts for the sale fell through and would-be buyers backed out.
—Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
That’s forced many would-be buyers to alter their expectations, move to cheaper cities, or delay homeownership altogether.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026
DePaul said the marshals would mix up their transportation strategy, to foil would-be Jack Rubys.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
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Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
But contracts for the sale fell through and would-be buyers backed out.
—Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
That’s forced many would-be buyers to alter their expectations, move to cheaper cities, or delay homeownership altogether.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026
DePaul said the marshals would mix up their transportation strategy, to foil would-be Jack Rubys.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 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 16 Jan. 2026.
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