would-be
Not yet successful
Would-be is an adjective describing someone who aspires to be something but hasn't achieved it, or something intended but not yet realized.
A would-be actor dreams of stardom but hasn't landed roles; a would-be assassin attempted but failed.
The term often carries a faintly dismissive or ironic tone, suggesting the gap between ambition and accomplishment.
The would-be investors backed out at the last minute.
Feeling positive expectation
- dreamerOne given to fantasies
- ambitiousStrongly desiring achievement
- eagerIntensely wanting something
- strivingEarnest sustained endeavor
yearning · novice · beginner · trainee · rookie · apprentice · fledgling · student
One feigning another's identity
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- phonyFraudulent person or thing
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- fakerOne who pretends
sham · poseur · masquerader · deceiver · quack · mountebank · hoaxer · counterfeit
Did not succeed
- thwartedPrevented from succeeding
- unfulfilledNot brought to completion
- frustratedAnnoyed by obstacles
- blockedPassage prevented or impeded
foiled · prevented · unsuccessful · aborted · derailed · stymied · hindered · obstructed
hopeful
Feeling positive expectation
striving · yearning · novice · beginner · trainee · rookie · apprentice · fledgling · student · learner
impostor
One feigning another's identity
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- phonyFraudulent person or thing
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
faker · sham · poseur · masquerader · deceiver · quack · mountebank · hoaxer · counterfeit · pseudo
failed
Did not succeed
- thwartedPrevented from succeeding
- unfulfilledNot brought to completion
- frustratedAnnoyed by obstacles
blocked · foiled · prevented · unsuccessful · aborted · derailed · stymied · hindered · obstructed · near-miss
prospective
Expected in the future
budding · emerging · nascent · incipient · promising · embryonic · developing · unproven · untested · hypothetical
would-beunambitious
Lacking desire for achievement
ambitionless · complacent · content · unaspiring · contented
would-beveteran
Experienced former soldier
experienced · seasoned · established · proven · accomplished