: 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
It had been previously reported that Trump had seriously considered making the would-be controversial move.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Many schools are likely to employ these would-be teachers: The federation is helping to find teachers at eight Reform and Conservative synagogues that are participating in the program, said Judy Levenson, the federation’s development director.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025
The film leans into the throwback of it all just enough, with callbacks to the original and a cameo from Elaine Hendrix, who played the iconic and villainous would-be stepmother Meredith Blake alongside Lohan in The Parent Trap.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 6 Aug. 2025
The four metals targeted by would-be deep-sea miners are not subject to Chinese export controls, and the U.S. is not materially dependent on China for their raw ore.
—Kevin Green, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for would-be
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Many schools are likely to employ these would-be teachers: The federation is helping to find teachers at eight Reform and Conservative synagogues that are participating in the program, said Judy Levenson, the federation’s development director.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025
The film leans into the throwback of it all just enough, with callbacks to the original and a cameo from Elaine Hendrix, who played the iconic and villainous would-be stepmother Meredith Blake alongside Lohan in The Parent Trap.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 6 Aug. 2025
The four metals targeted by would-be deep-sea miners are not subject to Chinese export controls, and the U.S. is not materially dependent on China for their raw ore.
—Kevin Green, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share