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 In this case, many would-be homebuyers remain on the sideline while affluent buyers drive sales of luxury homes. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 One TikTok of the scrappy piggy dodging cars and darting between would-be animal rescuers’ legs racked up nearly a half million views. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 Soon, would-be visitors will have more flexibility in planning their trips to the remote Georgia barrier island. — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 2026 For would-be buyers, that means waiting until 2027 may not make buying a home much cheaper. — Mike Winters, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for would-be

Recent Examples of Synonyms for would-be

Adjective

Edmonton is set to rely on some inexperienced players this season.

— Janson Duench, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
The Holbrook sisters are undersocialized and inexperienced with the world, and Herzog sees them as figures out of a fable, dreamers who talk incessantly about love and seem connected to the elemental and the ancient.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of inexperienced

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

Amongst the crowd was Lee Brockhouse, 48, who also competes in amateur strongman events with a personal best of 455kg in the deadlift.

— Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
The mystery comedy feature Defensive follows Clarence (McCartney), an overly aggressive basketball fanatic who assembles an unlikely team of amateur detectives to stop a corrupt businessman from destroying their beloved community center.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 Sep. 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

Adjective

Judge Indira Talwani’s ruling follows a whistleblower’s claims that USPS is rushing out untested and flawed computer systems to implement the new rules.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Manufacturers of untested products are most likely to get caught only when there’s a customer casualty count.

— Alison J. Stein, HubSpot, 1 Sep. 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 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of would-be

adjective

Example Sentences

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