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
But gone are the days of Disney Princess being exclusive to little girls who wish to star in their own fairytale. — Megan Dubois, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Bear then tries to get Ian to reverse the wish, but Ian wishes for money instead. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
Noun
Near the end of the story, Gardner pledges to kill his imaginary son to spare him war’s toll, but backs out upon his wish to be transformed into a noble soldier. — Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026 Without strategy, even the boldest vision becomes little more than a wish. — Sonya Thompson, Forbes.com, 10 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
  • The Texas school accountability law, passed in 2015, allows for the commissioner to order the campus to close or impose a state takeover of the district after five consecutive failing grades.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Newsmax on Thursday that more economic penalties against Iran would be imposed soon.
    — Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of impose
Verb
  • For families Apart from the family-sized villa estates and kid-friendly menus, Nihi has a host of activities that will please even the youngest beach bums.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Nostalgic without being at all reactionary, Mitchell’s riotously crowd-pleasing blockbuster takes both of Greg and Denise’s conflicting wishes to heart.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of please
Noun
  • Families can also participate in daily arts and crafts sessions, with materials provided on request and staff on hand to help kids create their own souvenirs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Friday’s hearing likely will address a disagreement between prosecutors and the defense over the retrial location – not necessarily over whether to move it, but over the defense’s new request to have it in Charleston specifically.
    — Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of request
Verb
  • In Iraq, the United States inflicted a dozen years of punishing sanctions, intermittent bombing, and failed regime change and counterproliferation efforts, followed by the disastrous 2003 invasion and occupation, all at tremendous human cost.
    — MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Ukraine has sought to ramp up attacks on Wildberries, signaling a new phase in the four-and-a-half-year war as Kyiv seeks to inflict fresh pain on the Russian economy.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of inflict
Verb
  • One sign Americans don’t always want the biggest vehicle available is the rise in demand for smaller trucks and SUVs.
    — Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Aries March 21 – April 19 The energy that someone wants from you needs a clear timeline today.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of want
Noun
  • Having a comfy and accommodating chair can reduce the desire to get up give you more time to get more work done.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Trump’s desire, which is to coat the granite facade with white paint, has been met with significant pushback from historians who say that covering the historic building’s granite exterior with paint could trap moisture and damage the stone.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of desire
Verb
  • Well-known for his penmanship of the Ferrari Enzo over 25 years ago, Japanese designer Ken Okuyama chose the glamorous surroundings of Monterey Car Week to unveil his latest—and perhaps most ambitious—creation, the Kode89.
    — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Election officials are reminding voters that Election Day voting differs from early voting because voters cannot simply choose any polling location.
    — Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of choose
Noun
  • Of course, installing last week’s security update is also a must.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In fact, reading the instructions on any product is a must, McCarthy said, to use it safely and maximize its effectiveness.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of must

Phrases Containing wish

Browse Nearby Words

wisewomen
wish
wished
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Cite this Entry

“Wish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wish. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wish

Nglish: Translation of wish for Spanish Speakers

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