Synonyms of wannabes

wannabes

noun

variants also wannabees

plural of wannabe

as in followers

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

• followers
• imitators
• echoes
• copycats
• rubber stamps
• copyists
• parrots
• apers
• impressionists
• impersonators
• apes
• mimics
• emulators

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wannabes

The antebellum South is long gone, of course, but that hasn’t stopped the governor, the Legislature, and a host of gray-uniform wannabes from trying to forcibly march us backward. — Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026

In 2022, when McKee was seeking his first full four-year term in a crowded field of wannabes that included Foulkes in her first run, McKee got the votes of 81 of 159 delegates, edging out then Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, who took 58 votes. — Katherine Gregg, The Providence Journal, 20 June 2026

Kelly spends the first half of his book running through a who’s who of the New England underworld, gangsters and mob wannabes who likely came into contact with the art before the investigation reached Maine and Gentile. — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026

All the young, single Carolyn Bessette wannabes were vying for his attention. — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026

Plenty of Kennedy wannabes showed up too late to compete, like brothers Denny and Enny—models, actors, and content creators who are originally from Montenegro and now live in Williamsburg. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 9 Mar. 2026

From the dealmakers in the Polo Lounge to the celebs hiding away in the spacious bungalows, all manner of tastemakers and wannabes have stopped by the Pink Palace at some time or another. — Tim Chester, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2026

The Dodgers’ split-squad group that journeyed the 14 miles from Glendale (and ultimately lost to Texas, 7-6) was largely a skeleton crew of Triple-A bound prospects and wannabes. — Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026

Other wannabes came with security. — Shardaa Gray, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026