: desiring, intending, professing, or having the potential to be
tips for would-be mothers and fathers
The conference, held over the Labor Day weekend, drew 1200 to 1300 writers and would-be writers to the Hawaiian island this year …—
John F. Baker
John F. BakerPossibly the most hilarious and outrageous character was Joey Tribbiani, a would-be actor who struggles to find success in his chosen profession …—The Cheat Sheet
The Cheat SheetShe's a clueless, would-be do-gooder without much self-awareness.—Maureen Ryan
Maureen RyanExamples of would-be in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Turned off by elevated mortgage rates, surging insurance costs and stubbornly expensive listings, an increasing number of would-be buyers have chosen to sit on the sidelines this year.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Who was the superior puppeteer of would-be lovers and young heroines who stuck to their principles?
—Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
Some lawmakers argued that pulling back from public appearances would only embolden would-be attackers.
—Nik Popli, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Rising construction costs, limited supply, and slow delivery timelines have priced out an entire generation of would-be homeowners.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for would-be
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Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Who was the superior puppeteer of would-be lovers and young heroines who stuck to their principles?
—Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
Some lawmakers argued that pulling back from public appearances would only embolden would-be attackers.
—Nik Popli, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Rising construction costs, limited supply, and slow delivery timelines have priced out an entire generation of would-be homeowners.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for would-be
Cite this Entry
“Would-be.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/would-be. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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