wish 1 of 2

verb

ˈwish How to pronounce wish (audio)
Definition of wishnext
1
as in to impose
to offer (something fake, useless, or inferior) as genuine, useful, or valuable despite my protestations, the dreaded position of club secretary was wished on me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to please
to see fit you're free to sit wherever you wish

Synonyms & Similar Words

wish

2 of 2

noun

as in request

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb wish differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of wish are covet, crave, desire, and want. While all these words mean "to have a longing for," wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable.

wishes for permanent world peace

When can covet be used instead of wish?

The meanings of covet and wish largely overlap; however, covet implies strong envious desire.

covets his rise to fame

In what contexts can crave take the place of wish?

While the synonyms crave and wish are close in meaning, crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need.

craves sweets

When would desire be a good substitute for wish?

Although the words desire and wish have much in common, desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim.

desires to start a new life

Where would want be a reasonable alternative to wish?

The words want and wish can be used in similar contexts, but want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.

wants to have a family

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 wish
Verb
Golding wishes more people would enroll in hospice as soon as they’re diagnosed with a terminal illness. — Michael Collins, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 In fact, many of the flats that follow bring all the polish of your favorite heels—without leaving you wishing you’d worn them instead. — Kate Boswell, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
Rituals and wish-making The ultimate goal of Buddhist practitioners is enlightenment, or nirvana – freedom from the cycle of birth and death and suffering. — Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026 If the defense gets its wish, Anthony will have another shot at defending himself in court. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wish
  1. impose
  2. please
  3. request
  4. inflict
  5. want
  6. desire
  7. choose
  8. must
Verb
  • And while several Asian countries imposed emergency measures to conserve fuel, a lengthy and catastrophic shortage never materialized.
    — Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Meta agreed to impose changes including a default two-hour daily time limit for teens across Facebook and Instagram, muted notifications during school hours, and enhanced parental controls, with more updates potentially on the horizon.
    — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of impose
Verb
  • Investor-pleasing language can substitute for a distinctive customer system.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The trust’s president and CEO, Brent Leggs, said the group was disappointed with the decision but pleased with Roberts’ dissent.
    — Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of please
Noun
  • The event’s organizers did not respond to The Associated Press' interview requests.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Hoffenberg, a Democrat, is running for a Cook County Board seat against Republican Liz Gorman, who filed FOIA requests for the video footage.
    — Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of request
Verb
  • Newsom’s film speaks directly to harm inflicted on young women who are routinely denigrated on social media and who face constant scrutiny of their appearance and comportment through online platforms.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than immediately exposing maneuver forces to direct contact, Russian commanders typically first attempt to inflict sufficient losses on Ukrainian defenders to make the subsequent assault more manageable.
    — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of inflict
Verb
  • With a hot war raging in Ukraine, these journalists don’t want to ask for anyone’s sympathy, which in turn heightens their alienation and frustration.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • After Joplin police reached out to the FBI, the campaign manager told federal authorities that Ross wanted the drugs planted in Secker’s car or purse while Ross was on vacation in South Carolina, the affidavit alleges.
    — Ava Kelley, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of want
Noun
  • Fall summons the urge to nest, and as temperatures drop, so does the desire to leave the house.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Trout, the face of the franchise, has nonetheless been clear and direct about his desire to remain in Anaheim.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of desire
Verb
  • Shop the Patio Zen Deck Box in black or gray and choose from 16 capacities ranging from 30 to 320 gallons.
    — Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Festivalgoers were never forced to choose between artists, as sets were separated by 10-minute breaks, preventing overlap.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of choose
Noun
  • Seafood is the star of the show here—especially the shrimp and grits and crab cakes, which Bernthal says are a must-order.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Downtown shopping is a must, Southern Living says, with a local bookstore and village shop.
    — Eva Flowe August 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of must

Phrases Containing wish

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wish
wished
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Cite this Entry

“Wish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wish. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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