1
as in imposed
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
as in wanted
to see fit
you're free to sit wherever you wish
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 wished
One coworker, dressed as Prince, wished to meet Mariah Carey, but only got a cardboard cutout.
—
Lizzie Hyman, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The mother of one went on to thank her friends, the Barbados tourism board, and everyone who wished her a happy birthday.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 27 Oct. 2025
The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, noticed the black-and-white cat perched on the bottom of a shopping cart outside Target on October 4.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Reminiscing about his friendship with Abe, the president wished Takaichi well in her new job.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2025
Gift cards were the most wished for gifts, according to this survey.
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2025
Though wistful, Letterman wished Karapanos well in retirement.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025
The church’s board, in a statement shortly after the theft was revealed, wished both compassion and justice for Wallace.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Their father had been a leading jurist, and Christoph initially wished to follow suit.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
Lizzie Hyman, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The mother of one went on to thank her friends, the Barbados tourism board, and everyone who wished her a happy birthday.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 27 Oct. 2025
The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, noticed the black-and-white cat perched on the bottom of a shopping cart outside Target on October 4.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Reminiscing about his friendship with Abe, the president wished Takaichi well in her new job.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2025
Gift cards were the most wished for gifts, according to this survey.
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2025
Though wistful, Letterman wished Karapanos well in retirement.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025
The church’s board, in a statement shortly after the theft was revealed, wished both compassion and justice for Wallace.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Their father had been a leading jurist, and Christoph initially wished to follow suit.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wished
Verb
-
Though the Maldives is the first country to enact such a ban, similar proposals have been debated – and nearly imposed – in other parts of the world.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The Pentagon recently imposed the most stringent access restrictions of the term, requiring that all reporters covering the Defense Department in person sign a restrictive press policy prohibiting them from soliciting any information the department has not authorized for release.—
Scott Nover,
Arkansas Online,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
However, Brockman wanted to go big or go home.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
-
In their middle-of-the-night, middle-of-the street confrontation, Lee told Chutto that his grandfather wanted to claim the land.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The war has also inflicted significant damage on Hamas’ supplies of its heaviest weapons and its weapons manufacturing capabilities, as well as on its senior leadership.—
Matt Bradley,
NBC news,
21 Oct. 2025
-
But the most important part of the story left unseen in the series is the gut-wrenching violence Gacy inflicted on his victims, both those who died and the few who survived.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That was a game that, upon reflection, disappointed us with the result but extremely pleased us with the performance.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Oct. 2025
-
But Moyes will be pleased by the impact made by his substitutes against Palace, Alcaraz chief among them.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And then the occasional strip club that I was forced to go to.—
Frank DiGiacomo,
Billboard,
3 Nov. 2025
-
According to Adams, Koehler forced the woman from her upstairs bedroom down to downstairs, purposely disorienting her — the basis for the kidnapping charge he was also found guilty of.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Gross also got Brighton’s second after David de Gea palmed Solly March’s shot from right side of the box back into danger.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wished. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share