variants also wannabee
Definition of wannabenext
as in follower
a person who adopts the appearance or behavior of another especially in an obvious way an entrepreneur who seems to have made his fortune mainly by giving how-to-get-rich lectures to entrepreneurial wannabes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of wannabe And they’ve been worn by working cowboys and just about every Western wannabe in the country. Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 8 June 2026 Especially early in its career, Hum was dreadfully misclassified as just another soft-to-loud/Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana wannabe, and remained criminally under-appreciated for its heavy/stoner-friendly Midwestern shoegaze vibes long after its breakup. Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 16 May 2026 Most political wannabes lack big money and positive high visibility. Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026 The 27-year-old Canadian astrophysicist wannabe turned content creator turned actor first captured people’s attention on TikTok with his absurdist comedy skits. Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wannabe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wannabe
Noun
  • Gastélum posted similar content on his Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube accounts, which together had more than 1 million followers.
    Rey Rodríguez, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Edo joined thousands of friends and followers in Eugenie’s comment section, sharing three pink hearts and an angel baby emoji.
    Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Boards can adopt it, investors can ask for it, cities can condition incentives on it, and the companies with the best results have the most to gain from standards, because standards are how leaders get distinguished from imitators.
    Tonya M. Evans, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • That's the real test that will ultimately determine whether the Denza Z is a genuine rival or simply another very fast imitator.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 July 2026
Noun
  • Denis sees echoes of that survival strategy in the behavior of Haitians in South Florida and elsewhere across the United States, where many have withdrawn from public view.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The tit-for-tat brings up echoes of last year, when the rivals were locked in a blistering trade war.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wannabe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wannabe. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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