would-bes
Those who aspire
Would-bes are people who aspire to a status or role they haven't achieved—those who would be something if they could: The café was full of would-bes hoping to be discovered.
The term carries a dismissive edge, suggesting the aspiration outstrips the talent or likelihood of success.
Compare wannabes, which emphasizes desire over conditional possibility.
People seeking success
- dreamersThose with ambitious visions
- striversPeople who work hard
- candidatesThose seeking selection
- prospectsExpected future outcomes
contenders · up-and-comers · novices · neophytes · rookies · apprentices · trainees · recruits
Puzzles or pretenders
- fakersPretenders to authenticity
- phoniesInsincere pretenders
- impostorsThose falsely claiming identity
- charlatansPretenders to special knowledge
frauds · wannabes · masqueraders · shams · deceivers · mountebanks · quacks · hoaxers
hopefuls
People seeking success
- dreamersThose with ambitious visions
- striversPeople who work hard
- candidatesThose seeking selection
prospects · contenders · up-and-comers · novices · neophytes · rookies · apprentices · trainees · recruits · entrants
posers
Puzzles or pretenders
charlatans · frauds · wannabes · masqueraders · shams · deceivers · mountebanks · quacks · hoaxers · bluffers
copycats
People who mimic others
- mimicsCopies another's behavior
- emulatorsPrograms simulating other systems
- clonesGenetically identical copies
impersonators · lookalikes · echoes · shadows · followers · acolytes · fanboys · groupies · admirers · devotees
would-besachievers
Those who accomplish goals
successes · arrivals · the real thing · professionals · veterans
would-besgenuine articles
Authentic items, not counterfeits
authentics · bona fides · legitimates · originals · has-beens
would-besthe real thing
Authentic original version
genuine articles · bona fide · established · proven · actual