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 Much, if not most, of the distemper was aimed at the would-be authoritarian in the White House. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026 The lawsuit is the latest from the federal government that targets ride-hailing companies for treatment of would-be riders with disabilities. — ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026 With the significant jump in mortgage rates over the past few years, more would-be homebuyers are being forced to rent. — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2026 The win secured the duo an agent and key industry connections, through which their feature script reached their would-be leading man. — Simon Bland, IndieWire, 9 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for would-be

Recent Examples of Synonyms for would-be

Adjective

Anchored inexperienced defense that allowed 16 goals in 22 games.

— Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
Things won’t be at an elite level because this is still a young, inexperienced team.

— Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of inexperienced

Adjective

Nichols ran tests comparing sounds laid down on 24-track analog tape with those captured by a new 32-track digital unit manufactured by 3M, and found the latter superior.

— Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 8 Nov. 2026
The Russian missiles that hit overnight across the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, damaged homes and commercial properties, triggering new power and water outages, national and city authorities said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of new

Adjective

Today, professional and amateur teams across the country, including in the Sierra Nevada, saddle up and clip into their skis to take on the skijoring challenge.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2026
According to Barnard, such views have stayed away from the reach of amateur rocketry experiments, as the timing, forces, and recovery have to come into alignment after the vehicle has set off its journey at heavy acceleration during wobbly flight.

— Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of amateur

Adjective

Skim off the excess fat to make your roux, then add the juices a little at a time, followed by low-sodium chicken broth (or homemade unseasoned turkey stock).

— Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Nov. 2026
The comedian is partnering with Knorr to joke about unseasoned chicken in a series of social videos.

— Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 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

What increased access to AI tools has done is lower the barrier to entry for even unskilled hackers to target low-hanging fruit.

— Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026
Many also regard government employment as inherently more stable and dignified than the harsh labor markets of the private sector, especially for the relatively unskilled.

— Anthony W. Pereira, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of unskilled

Adjective

As recently as last year, police still had some untested DNA collected from the 1996 crime scene, and the elder Ramsey has called on authorities to use modern investigative genetic genealogy methods to try and gin up new leads.

— Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026
Behind them, though, Denver has several young and untested options, which means question marks.

— Sam Jane, Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of untested

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 14 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of would-be

adjective

Example Sentences

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