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

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 The singer then wishes viewers good night (in Spanish, of course), before stripping off his shirt and going to bed. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026 Despite the claims of any number of charlatans who prey on the American brand of cuddly benighted ignorance, the universe will not manifest an alternate reality for anyone who simply wishes for it with sufficient longing. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The Board is most grateful for Ynon’s eight years of transformational leadership, and wishes him every success in his new role. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026 If the current American government, within international legal frameworks, wishes to reach an agreement, fine. — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026 But if that doesn’t occur as the state wishes, then the dispute could head to the Public Employment Relations Board to intervene. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026 That’s the part of Hope Florida Bullard wishes more people understood — not the $10 million that made the headlines, but the agency underneath it, and the families who depend on it. — Sharmila Venkatasubban, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 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

Florida law imposes disclosure requirements concerning certain potential conflicts, and directors should disclose relevant financial or personal interests before the board considers any related transactions or decisions.

— Gary M. Mars, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
But the law itself imposes many limitations on suing the federal government.

— Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of imposes

Verb

Indonesia wants to benefit from both, Mari Pangestu, Indonesian National Economic Council's vice chair, told reporters at a University of Hong Kong Business School event.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Talarico wants all Americans to be able to join Medicare; Paxton proposed a $25,000 tax deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses.

— Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of wants

Noun

All come with a highly reusable tin for whatever your host’s heart desires.

— Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Her portrayal is buoyant and curious, both attuned to and alienated from Mi-ok’s hopes and desires, whether emotional or erotic or material.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of desires

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

The city attorney’s office didn’t respond to requests for more information Wednesday.

— Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Palestine Action Global and the Treasury Department did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s requests for comment.

— Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 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