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.

All the affected would-be tenants told the BBC they felt pressured to pay more than they could afford.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

With the would-be tying run standing on first base and one out, Scott crashed hard on Geraldo Perdomo’s sacrifice bunt and zipped a throw across the diamond just in time for the out.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

With the deck stacked against day traders, Michalka said, the pattern day-trading rule probably helped by holding back some would-be traders.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

Maureen Downey, a wine-fraud consultant who worked with federal investigators on the Kurniawan case, says his sentence should have sent a warning to other would-be counterfeiters.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

Sometimes what appears to be a leaf or stick in the rain forest is really an insect, fooling a would-be predator by blending in with its surroundings.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple