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

Research shows that one in two girls who quit sports has been criticized for their body type, and Penso wishes her presence on the pitch can challenge those perceptions. — Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 24 July 2026 Brown’s colleagues on the council and other public figures sent well wishes Thursday in the comments of her social media post. — Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 23 July 2026 His next album, SKALA, named after his family dog, featured a guest verse from grime legend D Double E, a key cosign and mentor who still texts Songer well wishes on Christmas morning. — Sam Davies, Rolling Stone, 20 July 2026 Thank you for the support and well wishes everyone, your health is your wealth. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026 Lohan went on to express her love for the 3-year-old, highlighting some of his best qualities, and share some well wishes for her son’s future. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 18 July 2026 Another shopper, Jane Mecklenburg, 58, of Lincoln Square, wishes grocery stores would do more to help customers understand which foods, if any, pose the greatest risk. — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026 The company is adding a suite of new services that will let subscribers to a newsletter or podcast have a forum for comment and discussion, if the entrepreneur behind the venture wishes, or create other kinds of content in response. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 16 July 2026 In Hilderbrand’s ending, Hollis and Jack get back together, too, but her well wishes for Gigi are essential to her character’s new priorities. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 July 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 law imposes a set of strict requirements designed to keep internet users safe online.

— Samuel Petrequin, Fortune, 20 July 2026
Behind the scenes, Kalshi is advocating that more states find a middle ground, as North Carolina recently did, by passing a law that imposes a tax on prediction markets.

— Bobby Allyn, NPR, 17 July 2026

Definition of imposes

Noun

At the same time, Adam and his fellow contributors’ desires for their pieces were as important as my own.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
Still, there is a different feeling of watching a film on the big screen, the velvet darkness of the theater a portal into director Curry Barker’s sinister world of lonely young men and the fatal consequences of their heady desires.

— Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026

Definition of desires

Noun

In some respects, our skies have gotten cleaner in the past few decades; average levels of fine particulate matter have been cut nearly in half since 2000.

— Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
That was evident at his memorial service, where about 650 people gathered to pay their respects.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026

Definition of respects

Verb

The media usually get Black femicide wrong Another problem surrounding intimate partner homicide inflicts its harms after death.

— Sativa Banks, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
Instead of providing convenience, services and consumption, the regime only inflicts repression, intrusion and censorship.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 16 May 2026

Definition of inflicts

Verb

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
For something more substantial, Ramsey’s pleases both vegetarians and meat eaters with options such as BBQ brisket sandwich with homemade onion straws or Zucchini Noodle Thai Bowl.

— Sarah Miller, Midwest Living, 29 Apr. 2026

Definition of pleases

Noun

One of the tenant union’s requests was for the city to use the health department’s authority to make emergency repairs to the buildings and refrain from condemning the property.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
When the requests started piling up into the 100s, Vraa knew he on to something.

— Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Definition of requests

Noun

Argentina’s helter-skelter run to the final will come up against its greatest test and their ferocious mentality won’t quite be enough against a better team in all regards.

— Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Rivian is just getting started in regards to the R2 and its over-the-air software updates.

— Anthony Karcz, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026