Synonyms of wish

wish 1 of 2

verb

ˈwish 

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

• impose
• inflict
• pass off
• foist
• palm
• force
• palm off
• fob off
• entail
• misrepresent
• forge
• distort
• falsify
• fake
• counterfeit

2

as in to please

to see fit

you're free to sit wherever you wish

Synonyms & Similar Words

• please
• want
• choose
• will
• like
• desire
• crave
• long (for)
• covet
• die (for)
• pine (for)
• fancy
• hunger (for)
• yearn (for)
• itch (for)
• decide
• sigh (for)
• thirst (for)
• lust (for or after)
• resolve
• hanker (for)
• ache (for)
• repine (for)
• pant (after)
• determine

wish

2 of 2

noun

as in request

Related Words

• request
• desire
• must
• want
• requirement
• demand
• need
• claim
• stipulation
• requisition
• dun
• essential
• ultimatum
• importunity
• drive
• imposition
• basic
• provision
• condition

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

Recent Examples of wish

Verb

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

The horror film follows Bear (Michael Johnston), a shy young man desperate to escape the friend zone, who uses a novelty item called the One Wish Willow to wish that his crush, Nikki, would love him more than anyone else in the world. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026

Noun

But only six have county governments and if one Dedham man gets his wish, there will only be five because of a ballot question appearing in a few towns. — David Wade, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Barker makes the violation literal when Bear has sex with Nikki after discovering that his wish has effectively imprisoned her inside her own body. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing wish

• wish (for)