would-be

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The would-be master of the universe was even having a hard time managing his own schedule—let alone his narrative.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

He is, at 24, part of a new generation of would-be politicians.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

Coe remained an outsider, but released would-be influential records such as “Longhaired Redneck.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

However, would-be investors have approached Anthropic with proposals to participate in a fund-raising round which would value it at as much as $900 billion, according to multiple reports.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

This was the hardest thing he’d done in his life, he decided—much harder than fleeing from a would-be poacher in the middle of the night.

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins