: 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
With the bases loaded and none out in the sixth in a 1-1 game, the Braves got just one run, when Marcell Ozuna grounded into a force and narrowly beat out a would-be inning-ending double play.
—David O'Brien, New York Times, 8 June 2025
For La Jolla to do so, separate elections need to be conducted both within the would-be city and in the entire city of San Diego.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2025
On top of that, he’s added a layer of personal encryption, swapping out select words to throw off would-be attackers.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 7 June 2025
Florida’s would-be 4-3 victory turned to overtime when the Oilers’ Corey Perry, age 40, scored the latest regulation game-tying goal in Stanley Cup history.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 7 June 2025
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David O'Brien, New York Times, 8 June 2025
For La Jolla to do so, separate elections need to be conducted both within the would-be city and in the entire city of San Diego.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2025
On top of that, he’s added a layer of personal encryption, swapping out select words to throw off would-be attackers.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 7 June 2025
Florida’s would-be 4-3 victory turned to overtime when the Oilers’ Corey Perry, age 40, scored the latest regulation game-tying goal in Stanley Cup history.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 7 June 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 11 Jun. 2025.
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