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

Julia and Emma — who is the daughter of the Ticket to Paradise actress’ brother, Eric Roberts — have a close bond, referencing each other in interviews over the years and exchanging birthday wishes and sweet posts on social media over the years. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026 The compliments, the birthday wishes, and the occasional offers to become her stepdad followed. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026 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 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

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 ordinance, approved in 2022, imposes fines of up to $1,000 for stores that don’t accept cash from customers paying with bills of $20 or less.

— Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 28 July 2026
The second apron is a luxury tax mechanism introduced in the 2023 collective bargaining agreement that imposes severe financial and roster-building restrictions on teams with exceptionally high payrolls.

— Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 27 July 2026

Definition of imposes

Noun

With the current political climate, Love sees the hopelessness in the world and took it upon herself to create room for people to be a part of a community that desires to curate a safe space.

— Zuri Primos July 27, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
That panel voted last week in favor of removing restrictions on six peptides marketed for everything from wound healing to opioid withdrawal — exactly the outcome Kennedy desires, provided by people with a direct financial stake in delivering it.

— A.J. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2026

Definition of desires

Noun

Adding pace to their attacks In some respects, this point harks back to discussions people were having last summer.

— Art de Roché, New York Times, 31 July 2026
The talkies’ arrival was a major hardship in many respects for the movie industry, as theater owners had to install expensive new equipment, and studios could no longer easily export fresh product to lucrative foreign markets.

— Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 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

Ortiz and Edgar Castro, founding partner of the Southern Group’s Miami office, did not respond to requests for comment.

— Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
The senators’ requests are in line with claims Blanche already made to the Senate about the scope of the immunity agreement being much narrower than the actual language of the deal suggests.

— Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 31 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