wish 1 of 3

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

Relevance
2

wish

2 of 3

noun

wish (for)

3 of 3

verb (2)

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
According to reports, the company wishes to extend operations at Ginna Clean Energy Center and Nine Mile Point Unit 1 reactors until at least 2049. Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 28 June 2026 That does not mean countries wish to abandon the dollar altogether. Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 28 June 2026
Noun
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 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 See All Example Sentences for wish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wish
Verb
  • Both countries impose severe penalties on LGBTQ people.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2026
  • Starting on July 1, the California Department of Parks and Recreation can now impose new penalties on folks who fail to cancel their campsite reservations in a timely manner or fail to show for their reservation.
    Noe Padilla, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Create Layers Gardens in shade often rely less on color and more on other attributes to please the eye.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2026
  • The steeply descending main street of Haworth is filled with tea shops, pubs and stores clearly dedicated to pleasing Brontë pilgrims, but its basic form, including the original stationery store where the sisters once bought their paper, remains the same.
    Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2026
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
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
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
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
Verb
  • Old borrowers may need to consolidate loans, choose new repayment plans or risk being involuntarily placed in one that may not fit their budget, loan experts said.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • Design is what decides whether a person can do their best work, find the thread to something larger, and choose without leaving.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wish. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on wish

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster