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
As with any platform, prospective members may wish to review subscription options, privacy settings, and available features before joining. — Matthew Kayser updated July 6, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026 The Hall of Famer had a couple of bikinis for the occasion and wished the USA a happy 250th birthday in them. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Noun
Its fundamental charm lies in its playground quality, in its capacity to speak not to our practical adult hopes but to our simple wish to belong. — Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 27 June 2026 Precious Achiuwa is going to get his wish after expressing a strong desire to stay in Sacramento following a career year with the Kings. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 30 June 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
  • Instead of doubling down on a flawed system, policymakers can make gradual changes by introducing new tax categories in the existing framework and imposing taxes that correspond to the alcoholic content of that category.
    — Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • The question is whether Congress imposes clear rules on these deals before ad hoc dealmaking hardens into a permanent industrial policy run by the executive branch alone.
    — James Broughel, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of impose
Verb
  • Making price info less accessible The order to be voted on later this month includes a few other changes that will please ISPs and their lobby groups.
    — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026
  • Oviedo residents turned out by the hundreds for the sunny afternoon of crowd-pleasing contests and down-home edibles at tiny booths lining a grassy lot next to the Meat World parking lot.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 July 2026
Definition of please
Noun
  • The Interior Department did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request when asked on Friday if the panels will be replaced by the July 4 holiday this weekend.
    — Deena Zaru, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • This change was implemented at the request of the state's board of education.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of request
Verb
  • These weapons of war are designed to inflict the maximum amount of carnage and destruction and have no place in our communities.
    — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • However, experts caution the situation isn’t so simple, and while Ukraine has inflicted tangible damage, Russian resilience and logistical limitations mean the campaign has yet to pass into decisive territory.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2026
Definition of inflict
Verb
  • With potentially record-breaking heat coming to Washington, DC on the Fourth of July, people wanting to catch fireworks by saving an early spot on the National Mall will have a lot of waiting to do.
    — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • And who wouldn’t want to stay a good long while here—especially to take maximum advantage of that 16,000-square-foot spa?
    — Andrew Sessa, Robb Report, 2 July 2026
Definition of want
Noun
  • But experts say higher energy costs in Europe and a desire to slow global warming fuel the air conditioning-free lifestyle.
    — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • And yet Webster’s dictionary, and his earlier attempts at spelling reform, expressed a radical desire to forge an entirely new tongue based in the vernacular genius of the aspiring American people.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2026
Definition of desire
Verb
  • The Kings chose to hold Emanuel Sharp, Adam Flagler and Jonathan Mogbo out of Monday’s game, but Acuff, Clifford and Cardwell returned to the lineup after sitting out Sunday’s win over Golden State.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
  • If an island getaway is favored, there are plenty of options across the globe to choose from, all with pristine beaches and seaside charm.
    — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of choose
Noun
  • Shrimp and mussels are a must for her seafood paella, though the queen of home cooking has also used lobster in the past.
    — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026
  • While breakfast and lunch are first-come, first-serve, for dinner a reservation is a must.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
Definition of must

Phrases Containing wish

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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 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wish

Nglish: Translation of wish for Spanish Speakers

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