as in inexperienced
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Recent Examples of would-be
Back in 2012, Noah Baumbach directed a pilot for a would-be series adaptation for HBO alongside producer Scott Rudin back, but the premium cable network passed.
—
Brian Welk, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2026
The consequences of some of his nation’s targeting decisions have complicated the White House’s goals, including the killing of would-be Iranian negotiators and a strike at an Iranian energy facility that prompted Tehran to retaliate by hitting a massive gas field in Qatar.
—Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
Plenty of would-be heroes pass through the inn on their way to save the world, and Nell is responsible for keeping the place running, serving food, and making sure all those annoying questers don’t cause too much chaos.
—Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
For years, would-be first-time homebuyers have complained about the skimpy inventory of starter homes, saying costly McMansion-style subdivisions are all that’s being built now.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for would-be
Brian Welk, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2026
The consequences of some of his nation’s targeting decisions have complicated the White House’s goals, including the killing of would-be Iranian negotiators and a strike at an Iranian energy facility that prompted Tehran to retaliate by hitting a massive gas field in Qatar.
—Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
Plenty of would-be heroes pass through the inn on their way to save the world, and Nell is responsible for keeping the place running, serving food, and making sure all those annoying questers don’t cause too much chaos.
—Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
For years, would-be first-time homebuyers have complained about the skimpy inventory of starter homes, saying costly McMansion-style subdivisions are all that’s being built now.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for would-be
Recent Examples of Synonyms for would-be
Adjective
-
Steve Ponto said his daughter means well, but is inexperienced and especially passionate.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Messi went in as a halftime substitute in the 2-1 victory over Mauritania on March 27, a result against an inexperienced opponent that did not sit well with Scaloni.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Even the more politically active class of nonprofits — 501(c)(4) groups, like the relatively new American Hunters and Anglers — can’t make political activity its primary activity.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The Colorado Rockies are rolling out a lineup of new food offerings ahead of Opening Day, featuring everything from oversized hot dogs to inventive twists on classic ballpark staples.—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 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
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The hitch is that Florida is dependent on an untried product.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
18 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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This is Ganne's sixth time playing the ANWA, which already has become as prestigious as any amateur event in women's golf, mainly because of where the final round is played.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Dozens of amateur and professional photographers were invited to find beauty in the invisible world of force fields and subatomic particles, which blip into existence for fractions of a second and hold secrets about the origin and fate of the universe.—
Zack Savitsky,
Quanta Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Even if your sauce is properly seasoned, your dish will taste flat when unseasoned noodles are added.—
Elizabeth Brownfield,
Southern Living,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Where girl dinner is a charming (if not a little bit dumb) smorgasbord of snacky things like cheese and pretzels and salami, boy kibble (🤢) consists of unseasoned ground beef and white rice, consumed for the protein of it all.—
Li Goldstein,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Feb. 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
-
Women worked as domestics; men served as unskilled laborers, canal diggers and later as mill workers across the river.—
Paula Kane,
The Conversation,
13 Mar. 2026
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Meanwhile, the women faced with that pool of socially unskilled men have largely been overlooked.—
Faith Hill,
The Atlantic,
17 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This is no time to experiment with the untested deep thoughts of do-gooders who couldn’t find Roseland, Englewood or Humboldt Park without GPS.—
Tim Egan,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In the McLeod family, a young man in his 30s who went untested recently died of cancer, Guilford said.—
Sarah Zhang,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Would-be.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/would-be. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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