WISHES Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

wishes 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of wish

as in imposes

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

Relevance

as in wants

to see fit you're free to sit wherever you wish

Synonyms & Similar Words

wishes

2 of 2

noun

plural of wish

as in desires

Related Words

as in respects

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 wishes

Verb

Treating against the parents’ wishes would entail calling state authorities and requesting an emergency removal. — Eric Boodman, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026 In the supernatural horror film, a young man wishes for Nikki to love him more than anything, but the wish quickly takes a terrifying turn. — Denis Akbari, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 One only wishes the film could have done the same while also making a fully satisfying meal of the cartoonish villains who’ve come to destroy them. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026 Looking back at the situation, Selberg wishes he had been been granted the opportunity to speak with members of the Collierville Board of Mayor of Aldermen. — Corey Davis, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 27 Aug. 2026 Plotkin also wishes his doctors had been more willing to question the original diagnosis. — Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026 Thoroughly unimpressed by her suburban idyll, and evidently unmoved by her responsibilities as wife and mother, Denise labors in her basement on a novel whose protagonist wishes to forsake her family for a life in New York. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026 Early in Mutiny, Statham’s latest outing, there’s a moment in which his character, Cole Reed, looks over photos of his late father on a tablet, then wishes the man a happy birthday. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026 Editor’s pick More picks Longtime Disneyland fans are finally getting one of their top theme park wishes. — Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Noun

Since 1981, Disney has helped fulfill wishes with the organization for more than 175,000 children, or a wish an hour each day. — Brian Brant, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wishes

Verb

Videos of Cubans exploding in anger and ranting against the government have become frequent despite the severe penalties Cuban law imposes to those who criticize the authorities.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
However, the devices are still laboratory demonstrations, and their substrate imposes a limit.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of imposes

Verb

If a deepfake inflicts commercial damage or misleads consumers, businesses can pursue civil claims for defamation or false light, alongside federal trademark suits under the Lanham Act.

— Allyson Kapin, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Fortunately, Green’s film exists — and was not thrown into a little black hole by a bunch of accountants, never to be seen again — and can surely help cure any of the pain its backstory still inflicts on movie fans and Tunes geeks.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of inflicts

Verb

Coastal decor darling Serena & Lily brings you the Pacifica modular collection to suit any configuration that pleases you.

— Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2026
For something more substantial, Ramsey’s pleases both vegetarians and meat eaters with options such as BBQ brisket sandwich with homemade onion straws or Zucchini Noodle Thai Bowl.

— Sarah Miller, Midwest Living, 29 Apr. 2026