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

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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

Part of her wishes Davidson’s younger officers could gain that experience. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026 It was decorated with birthday wishes for someone named Hassan. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 The 11,000-square-foot penthouse in question is being designed by Ferris Rafauli for its current owner, who wishes to remain anonymous. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026 For a roughly 6 to 7 percent fee on the transaction, some Azerbaijani banks will accept a transfer from a client who wishes to move Saudi riyals or Emirati dirhams totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. — Matthew Cole, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026 The Call Her Daddy podcast host, 32, who recently welcomed a baby boy with her husband Matt Kaplan, took to her Instagram Stories to thank her followers for all the kind words and well wishes being sent to her family. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2026 Top Pick’s owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, is a high-net-worth, strategic foreign investor, according to Choi. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026 Keldermans thanked everyone who participated and extended birthday wishes to one community member’s grandson. — Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 The singer then wishes viewers good night (in Spanish, of course), before stripping off his shirt and going to bed. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Oct. 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

Florida law imposes limits on direct contributions to state candidates but generally allows political committees to accept unlimited contributions, subject to applicable reporting and other legal requirements.

— Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
Israel regularly imposes restrictions on movement across the Palestinian occupied territory with some 925 checkpoints, roadblocks, earth mounds and other barriers.

— Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of imposes

Verb

Indonesia wants to benefit from both, Mari Pangestu, Indonesian National Economic Council's vice chair, told reporters at a University of Hong Kong Business School event.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Talarico wants all Americans to be able to join Medicare; Paxton proposed a $25,000 tax deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses.

— Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of wants

Noun

All come with a highly reusable tin for whatever your host’s heart desires.

— Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Her portrayal is buoyant and curious, both attuned to and alienated from Mi-ok’s hopes and desires, whether emotional or erotic or material.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of desires

Noun

The display will remain up all week, giving people more time to stop by, pay their respects and remember those who have been lost.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
In addition, the belief that hip-hop artists are required to acquiesce and musically circumscribe themselves to appease mainstream audiences is archaic in many respects.

— Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of respects

Verb

That’s because of the massive opportunity cost such dollarless drudgery inflicts.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2026
The betrayal Murray inflicts on Tremblay’s Kaczynski is compelling, even as the film presses it into service as an explanation for every horror that followed.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of inflicts

Verb

And sore must be the storm indeed that can abash the foliage fiesta that pleases so many eyes.

— Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of pleases

Noun

Those requests range from support for new construction projects or upgrades, but more than half seek additional funds to shore up revenue for operating costs as budget woes persist.

— Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Review requests, appointments, volunteer work and commitments for the coming days, weeks and months.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of requests

Noun

MacBooks are simply better laptops in most regards, with minor losses in display quality and AI functionality.

— Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Yet, in many regards, the Grammys remain a game of the usual suspects, as a certain level of visibility and proximity to mainstream America is seemingly required to claim a nomination, let alone a victory.

— Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2026