WOULD-BE Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

would-be

adjective

Definition of would-be

as in inexperienced

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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 would-be That help is already built into the expectations of many would-be homeowners. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026 But most would-be buyers never see these all-important documents, which are scattered across state filings, county safety lists, court dockets and news archives. — Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026 An aurora photographer who spoke to National Geographic offered tips for novices trying to take photos of the phenomenon, including would-be photographers who only have access to a smartphone camera. — Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 The would-be burglars targeted a home in Pasadena, California. — Abigail Velez, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for would-be

Recent Examples of Synonyms for would-be

Adjective

Their quest is complicated by Hampton Squib, an inexperienced and wildly underprepared adventurer whose dream of heroism far exceeds his abilities.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
Bass, who finished about 5 points ahead of Raman in the June primary, sought to portray her challenger as an inexperienced outsider who would struggle to build support at City Hall.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of inexperienced

Adjective

So in regard to the team’s new principal owners, a wait-and-see outlook is the only outlook that makes sense.

— Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
The production will mark the inaugural show at the Bridge Theatre, a 900-seat venue on the Thames near Tower Bridge, under its new ownership by Trafalgar Entertainment.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of new

Adjective

Still, all but Verse (7 ½ sacks last year) are untried.

— Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2026
The audacity of such a mission, wrapping so many untried things into a single flight, meant Artemis III would not have launched for at least two more years, and probably more like three, four, or more.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 14 Mar. 2026

Definition of untried

Adjective

This new attack on Title IX is alarming, says Traci Carson, an epidemiologist and an amateur competitive cyclist, who has studied the effects of athletic training on women’s fertility.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026
Stocks plays a young teen named Maz, an amateur astronomer still grieving the disappearance of her scientist father (Rheon).

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of amateur

Adjective

After his beginning years in the cafe, Trygar has since moved to the maintenance department and has been responsible for taking care some of Kennywood's iconic rides like the Racer, the Log Jammer, and the Merry Go Round.

— Mike Darnay, CBS News, 7 May 2026
The band joins Yellowcard for the Up Up Down Down Tour, a 27-date spring outing with Plain White T’s beginning May 6 in Atlanta and concluding June 20 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

— Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2026

Definition of beginning

Adjective

Persona did not see economic viability in the unskilled labor approach, Radford says.

— Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 17 Aug. 2026
The jobs were broken down into around 200 management roles, 67 office or clerical roles, 67 professional, 534 skilled and 133 unskilled.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of unskilled

Browse Nearby Words

worthy

would-be

wound

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Style

“Would-be.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/would-be. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of would-be

adjective

Example Sentences

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