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
But the entire document is worth reading now that the country is struggling against a would-be king.
—
Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
The steep rent and the shabby condition of the building, which significantly increases the overall costs of taking it on, have warded off other would-be buyers.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 3 Feb. 2026
For comparison, the Lincoln Memorial, which sits opposite the Memorial Bridge of the would-be arch site, is 99 feet tall.
—CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
Signaling sustained and robust demand for fine jewelry amid a wider luxury lull, a Bulgari brooch once owned by Audrey Hepburn sold for 355,600 euros, or about $425,000, at a Sotheby’s auction in Paris, nearly six times its high estimate following fierce bidding among four would-be buyers.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for would-be
Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
The steep rent and the shabby condition of the building, which significantly increases the overall costs of taking it on, have warded off other would-be buyers.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 3 Feb. 2026
For comparison, the Lincoln Memorial, which sits opposite the Memorial Bridge of the would-be arch site, is 99 feet tall.
—CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
Signaling sustained and robust demand for fine jewelry amid a wider luxury lull, a Bulgari brooch once owned by Audrey Hepburn sold for 355,600 euros, or about $425,000, at a Sotheby’s auction in Paris, nearly six times its high estimate following fierce bidding among four would-be buyers.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for would-be
Recent Examples of Synonyms for would-be
Adjective
-
All of Quigley’s challengers are politically inexperienced but impassioned Democrats running to the incumbent’s left.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The most common complaints include denying legitimate claims, partnering with inexperienced and unqualified service providers, poor service, and slow response times.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This work offers a new platform for designing efficient photo-electrocatalysts and advancing next-generation solar–electrochemical energy conversion systems.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase faced additional allegations of rigging pitches to benefit bettors in a new document filed on Thursday.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Originally hesitant about using the relatively untried medium of radio in this way, The King was reassured by a visit to the BBC in the summer of 1932 and agreed to take part.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
25 Dec. 2025
-
The hitch is that Florida is dependent on an untried product.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
18 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
From 2018 to 2023, the club selected 20 players in the top 120 picks of the respective amateur drafts; the highlights include pitchers Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker, and position players Josh Jung, Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Pro-am tournaments pair up professional and amateur golfers.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Cooking on unseasoned cast iron can result in sticking, rusting, and a myriad of other issues (some of which are outlined above).—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Hunter saw the logic in Ake’s casualness, which as the head of a learning institution projects a warmth and informality that brings her down to earth for her unseasoned cadets.—
Scott Huver,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Dugger served as a backup through the beginning portion of the season before being dealt to the Steelers at the NFL trade deadline.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
New York’s own ban, which went into effect during the current school year, has been widely praised by educators during its beginning months.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The same software handle attacks, so even an unskilled operator can hit fast-evading targets.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, the women faced with that pool of socially unskilled men have largely been overlooked.—
Faith Hill,
The Atlantic,
17 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Such a standoff would be largely untested.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Two years ago the Red Sox rotation was young and untested, with Crawford, Brayan Bello and Tanner Houck leading a group that lacked any semblance of depth.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Would-be.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/would-be. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
