variants
also wannabees
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wannabes
Glatzer, who serves as executive producer, writer, and showrunner of the new series, sought to focus on wannabes rather than billionaires, and also consciously expanded the story beyond tech bros.
—
Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 7 Jan. 2026
The news isn't all bad for Santa wannabes.
—Alain Sherter, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Best Toy from a Film Franchise Dragon rider wannabees can put their dreams into motion by bonding and engaging with the ever-playful Toothless.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Just about everyone gets a little pat on the head from ESPN for a big home weekend, but cutesy wannabes don’t get featured on the road.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 7 Jan. 2026
The news isn't all bad for Santa wannabes.
—Alain Sherter, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Best Toy from a Film Franchise Dragon rider wannabees can put their dreams into motion by bonding and engaging with the ever-playful Toothless.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Just about everyone gets a little pat on the head from ESPN for a big home weekend, but cutesy wannabes don’t get featured on the road.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wannabes
Noun
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As her own beliefs begin to take idiosyncratic shape, Lee begins to engage a few followers.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
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Her followers got a better look at her spacious kitchen's wooden cabinetry and light fixtures behind them.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Although Rudolph’s concrete architecture was more complex and soulful than that of many of his imitators, that difference was often overlooked.—
Anthony Paletta,
Curbed,
13 Jan. 2026
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The film introduced new slang into the lexicon, repopularized surf rock, and spawned dozens of fast-talking imitators.—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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While the echoes of a pre-Chichén Itzá power still linger in every stone and shadow, contemporary Maya culture is thriving.—
Gemma Price,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
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The NovaCare Complex offers a natural silo where Hurts’ actions create the loudest echoes.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wannabes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wannabes. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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