WISHES Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

wishes 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of wish

as in imposes

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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as in wants

to see fit you're free to sit wherever you wish

Synonyms & Similar Words

wishes

2 of 2

noun

plural of wish

as in desires

Related Words

as in respects

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 wishes

Verb

Now an adult, Jake’s life is about to get turned upside down when the appearance of his childhood wishes clashes with his practical life. — Rachel Labonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026 Part of her wishes Davidson’s younger officers could gain that experience. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026 It was decorated with birthday wishes for someone named Hassan. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 The 11,000-square-foot penthouse in question is being designed by Ferris Rafauli for its current owner, who wishes to remain anonymous. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026 For a roughly 6 to 7 percent fee on the transaction, some Azerbaijani banks will accept a transfer from a client who wishes to move Saudi riyals or Emirati dirhams totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. — Matthew Cole, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026 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 Top Pick’s owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, is a high-net-worth, strategic foreign investor, according to Choi. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026 Keldermans thanked everyone who participated and extended birthday wishes to one community member’s grandson. — Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Noun

Since 1981, Disney has helped fulfill wishes with the organization for more than 175,000 children, or a wish an hour each day. — Brian Brant, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wishes

Verb

The embargo allows exports of food and medicine to the island but imposes requirements, such as advance payments on food sales, because of the Cuban government’s poor credit history.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
Another measure imposes higher rates of 13% to 22% on income from interest, dividends and proceeds from selling property.

— David McHugh, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of imposes

Verb

Reyes, who was nominated by former Democratic President Joe Biden, wants to know whether federal officials lied about the extent of renovation plans during months of hearings.

— GARY FIELDS, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
Because every character feels like a real resident of the same village, any of them can be pulled out to lead a film, whether the studio wants a ghost story or a romance.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of wants

Noun

Vaughn said statehouse Republicans need to find a new path forward that supports Hoosier voters’ desires.

— Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
Women’s stories, especially those focused on their desires, have historically been dismissed as unserious, but romance has always had a huge, loyal readership.

— Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of desires

Noun

Nicole Tarantino, 21, stopped by Monday to pay her respects to the family after waking up that morning to the news that her friend died in the plane crash.

— Erika Angulo, NBC news, 2 Nov. 2026
The display will remain up all week, giving people more time to stop by, pay their respects and remember those who have been lost.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of respects

Verb

That’s because of the massive opportunity cost such dollarless drudgery inflicts.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2026
The betrayal Murray inflicts on Tremblay’s Kaczynski is compelling, even as the film presses it into service as an explanation for every horror that followed.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of inflicts

Verb

And sore must be the storm indeed that can abash the foliage fiesta that pleases so many eyes.

— Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Coastal decor darling Serena & Lily brings you the Pacifica modular collection to suit any configuration that pleases you.

— Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2026

Definition of pleases

Noun

Tracy, who was expected to address reporters in Springfield on Tuesday evening, didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment after AP called the race.

— Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
Neither Villanueva nor a spokesperson for his campaign immediately responded to requests for comment Tuesday evening.

— Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of requests

Noun

MacBooks are simply better laptops in most regards, with minor losses in display quality and AI functionality.

— Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Yet, in many regards, the Grammys remain a game of the usual suspects, as a certain level of visibility and proximity to mainstream America is seemingly required to claim a nomination, let alone a victory.

— Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2026