only wish/want/hope
idiom
—used to stress that someone's wishing/wanting/hoping something is the simple truth
He only wished she'd told him sooner.
I only wish I knew what was going on.
He only wanted to help.
I only hope she can get over this.
Examples of only wish/want/hope in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Pacers are unbeatable with Caitlin Clark in the building 🔥#YesCers | #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/9aOAd2PNP1
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) June 12, 2025
Needless to say, Indiana can only hope that Clark is able to attend Game 4 on Friday night.
—
Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
Fans can only hope that Howard hasn't foreseen a box office fail for her latest film, Deep Cover.
—Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 11 June 2025
The space and defense sectors can only hope the two men show some restraint now.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 9 June 2025
Transfer Relationships If clients only want to work with you, that’s not loyalty.
—Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
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Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
Fans can only hope that Howard hasn't foreseen a box office fail for her latest film, Deep Cover.
—Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 11 June 2025
The space and defense sectors can only hope the two men show some restraint now.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 9 June 2025
Transfer Relationships If clients only want to work with you, that’s not loyalty.
—Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for only wish/want/hope
Cite this Entry
“Only wish/want/hope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/only%20wish%2Fwant%2Fhope. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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