wish (someone or something) on (someone)

phrase

: to want (someone) to have or be affected by (someone or something bad or unpleasant)
I wouldn't wish that terrible illness on anyone.
I wouldn't wish that man on any woman.

Examples of wish (someone or something) on (someone) in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Social-media sleuths noted that the Dolphins did not give Tagovailoa an online happy birthday wish on Monday. Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026 Schumer made a significant recruitment push for Peltola to challenge Sullivan and got his wish on Monday morning. Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 12 Jan. 2026 Having documented much of her daughter’s health battle on social media, Atkinson shared the footage of her tear-jerking wish on TikTok (@kayatkin). Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025 Boise State Athletic Director Jeramiah Dickey has expressed his wish on multiple occasions to bring rivalry games back to the state. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 12 Aug. 2025 Another attorney — Radhika, 28, from New York — exits the limo doing a Bollywood dance, and Allyshia (29-year-old interior designer from Florida) asks the Bachelor to make a wish on her magic lamp. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 28 Jan. 2025 Take advantage of these dark skies, soak in the Northern Lights, study constellations, and make a wish on a falling star. Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wish (someone or something) on (someone).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wish%20%28someone%20or%20something%29%20on%20%28someone%29. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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