Thesaurus results for WANNABE

wannabe

noun

ˈwä-nə-ˌbē

variants also wannabee

Definition of wannabe

as in follower

a person who adopts the appearance or behavior of another especially in an obvious way an entrepreneur who seems to have made his fortune mainly by giving how-to-get-rich lectures to entrepreneurial wannabes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 wannabe The antebellum South is long gone, of course, but that hasn’t stopped the governor, the Legislature, and a host of gray-uniform wannabes from trying to forcibly march us backward. — Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026 In 2022, when McKee was seeking his first full four-year term in a crowded field of wannabes that included Foulkes in her first run, McKee got the votes of 81 of 159 delegates, edging out then Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, who took 58 votes. — Katherine Gregg, The Providence Journal, 20 June 2026 The idea that Bessette was some sort of wannabe was anathema for Hines. — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 10 June 2026 Can Phillies fans and wannabe Nola buy-lowers take heart in the improving Stuff+ numbers? — Eno Sarris, New York Times, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for wannabe

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wannabe

Noun

Over the years, Chivayo gave away dozens of luxury cars, buses, cash and other gifts to celebrities, church leaders, sports figures, politicians and social media followers, frequently broadcasting his largesse online.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
Working to help raise her two sisters, Moore became politically active in her teens, and by 1920 was a follower of Marcus Garvey.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of follower

Noun

The Dadaists used this gleefully and compulsively (see René Clair and Francis Picabia’s wacky Entr’Acte); so, famously, did Hideo Nakata in Y2K hit The Ring and countless imitators.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2026
The account has amassed over 10,000 followers, inspiring imitator accounts.

— Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of imitator

Noun

Audiences will no doubt see broad echoes of what could have been in Ali’s passionate and often ruthless Latif.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026
Ari struggles to understand how its two worlds connect, and as events in one world echo events in the other, so will many readers.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of echo

Browse Nearby Words

waning

wannabe

wannabes

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“Wannabe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wannabe. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of wannabe

noun

Example Sentences

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