wish 1 of 2

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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wish

2 of 2

noun

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
That's why fall 2025 presents a perfect opportunity to explore wish-list luxury destinations without peak-season crowds or prices. Acacia Gabriel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2025 The President is going to get his wish. Robert Barone, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
She is cast away by her mother, who wishes nothing to interfere with her theater. Blake Simons, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025 Several friends and fans of the actress wished her happy birthday in her comment section, including longtime friend Anthony Hopkins. Charna Flam, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wish
Verb
  • Markel’s parents asked the judge to impose the harshest possible penalty.
    Lauren del Valle, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Also Thursday, the judge agreed to impose an order barring Drummond and lawyers from talking to the media about the case.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Get the recipe > Creamy, cheesy, and satisfying, this dip is sure to please at your next late-summer get together.
    SAVEUR Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Film studios have long struggled to make adaptations of video games that please critics and audiences, and some critics have suggested video games are tough to adapt because the sheer volume of gaming content has to be condensed to fit the length of a movie.
    Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • However, Crenshaw did not respond to an interview request, nor did any member of the Intersectionality Training Institute or the Center for Intersectionality and Social Policy Studies.
    John Scott Lewinski, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The browser is central for those using Atlassian products, such as the Jira project management software, which shows existing support requests on the web.
    Jordan Novet, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In its lawsuit, Ryan LLC argued that the noncompete ban would inflict irreparable harm by enabling its employees to leave for the competition, potentially taking with them valuable skills and information gained on the job.
    Andrea Hsu, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025
  • But most people, when presented with images of immense and deliberately inflicted human suffering, have a human response.
    Jack Sheehan September 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • By February, Dudek had become the conduit between DOGE and the SSA, alerting top agency officials that DOGE wanted to work at headquarters.
    Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025
  • And after Detroit defeated Green Bay, 34-31, in Week 14 last season, many Packers talked about wanting to see the Lions again in the postseason.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The plaintiffs argued the displacement was motivated by a desire to limit readers' access to books with viewpoints that are unpopular and controversial in the area.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Aaron Glenn came in, like many coaches before him, with a desire to kill that mindset.
    Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In her autobiography, Gibson wrote about biding her time rather than choosing to agitate.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Some actors might choose to step away from such a thing, or even be frustrated by it or it being brought up in interviews, but Fischer clearly enjoys every last moment of her good fortune from a former era, even now.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Just like the Golden Bachelor, Maia loves sports, so finding someone athletic, fun and flirty is a must.
    Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Hot chicken and cool treats When in Nashville, hot chicken is a must, even at the fair.
    Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wish. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

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