variants
also wannabee
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
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Recent Examples of wannabe
Great powers are marked by their capacity to make painful choices—great-power wannabes have to make tough choices, too.
—
Nirupama Rao, Foreign Affairs, 30 July 2025
Looking at the historical sample of data, the goal was to develop a set of rules that helped distinguish the genuine contenders from the pretenders and to narrow down as few actual champions as possible while simultaneously eliminating as many of the wannabes.
—Neil Paine, New York Times, 17 June 2025
These are real veterans, not the local wannabes who give lip service to those who have been in the military but are somehow unable to credit the sacrifices of those who don’t share their political party.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Listen to this article St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration enjoyed by Irish and Irish wannabes alike.
—Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wannabe
Nirupama Rao, Foreign Affairs, 30 July 2025
Looking at the historical sample of data, the goal was to develop a set of rules that helped distinguish the genuine contenders from the pretenders and to narrow down as few actual champions as possible while simultaneously eliminating as many of the wannabes.
—Neil Paine, New York Times, 17 June 2025
These are real veterans, not the local wannabes who give lip service to those who have been in the military but are somehow unable to credit the sacrifices of those who don’t share their political party.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Listen to this article St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration enjoyed by Irish and Irish wannabes alike.
—Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wannabe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wannabe
Noun
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Her authenticity and beauty content attracted millions of followers and high-profile brand partnerships.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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Employers increasingly wonder whether campuses are cultivating independent thinkers or just cautious followers.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That instinct to merge craftsmanship with culture has kept him ahead of imitators.—
Janee Bolden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
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Build a content machine that runs so fast, followers see you as the source, not the imitators.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While dressing up as a colorful parrot or bold eagle certainly taps into Sagittarius’s desire to soar, there’s no denying that a chicken costume could be plenty cute, too.—
Ella Cerón,
Parents,
16 Sep. 2025
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Take out yer triangular hat (a tricorn), eye patch, brass earrings, shoulder parrot, sword and scabbard, hook for a hand, and peg for a leg.—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wannabe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wannabe. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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