WOULD-BE Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

would-be

adjective

Definition of would-be

as in inexperienced

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 Years of soaring home prices, especially in the early part of this decade when rock-bottom mortgage rates fueled a buying frenzy, have left many would-be homebuyers frozen out of the market. — Alex Veiga, Fortune, 9 July 2026 This time, the criticism of a would-be speaker is coming from the left flank of the caucus — progressives who want Jeffries to shift his positions. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 7 July 2026 Ongoing uncertainty about the situation in Lebanon and fears of a new escalation have dissuaded many would-be pet owners from adopting, but some of Hamza's dogs have found new homes. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 Multiple acts from the would-be parade said they were given clearance by the city to perform in the area, like the MMU Alumni Band from Pennsylvania and the Ballet Folkloricos Mosaicos from Indianna, representing Mexico. — Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for would-be

Recent Examples of Synonyms for would-be

Adjective

Hillmann said that the high percentage of inexperienced foreigners today makes the Pamplona bull runs particularly dangerous.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026
Leaders in at least three counties have publicly spoken out against Alfonso as being too inexperienced for the job and questioned Duffy’s influence.

— Scott Bauer, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of inexperienced

Adjective

But with many of the bosses atop those agencies exiting, a new concern over what that may mean is starting.

— Chris Tye, CBS News, 14 July 2026
That waterway has taken on new significance since the start of the war, as Saudi Arabia now diverts millions of barrels of crude there to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 14 July 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

With its thoughtful feature set, the PD500W looks like a great option for experienced and amateur content creators alike.

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 14 July 2026
As an amateur race car driver, the villa’s owner wanted elements of his passion peppering the interior.

— Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 14 July 2026

Definition of amateur

Adjective

Unlike many of his second-year predecessors, Richard is not putting up stats by dominating the ball and using moves that would only work against unseasoned rookies or future European league all-stars.

— Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
But while viewers know what’s up from The Fall’s start, Northern Ireland’s unseasoned law enforcement officials haven’t a clue who’s behind the body count.

— Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026

Definition of unseasoned

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

Understand What The Skills Gap Actually Rewards Of the owners who couldn’t fill their openings, 27% said skilled roles went unfilled, and 12% said the same for unskilled roles.

— Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026
Road accidents kill thousands in Bangladesh every year, due to a combination of poor road conditions, unskilled driving and inadequate oversight of traffic rules.

— Adam England, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026

Definition of unskilled

Browse Nearby Words

worthy

would-be

wound

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Would-be.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/would-be. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of would-be

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on would-be

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

bibelot

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes