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

Early in Mutiny, Statham’s latest outing, there’s a moment in which his character, Cole Reed, looks over photos of his late father on a tablet, then wishes the man a happy birthday. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026 Editor’s pick More picks Longtime Disneyland fans are finally getting one of their top theme park wishes. — Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 Bear then tries to get Ian to reverse the wish, but Ian wishes for money instead. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026 This is for anyone who wishes their morning smoothie was a piña colada. — Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026 If the letter writer, or anyone else facing a similar situation, wishes to wait until after a relative has passed before having conversations about where the relative’s possessions will go, this might be a good option. — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026 Now, after White delivers a prepared speech invoking hatred, fear mongering, divisiveness, love, grace, humility and Michelle Obama, the media reaction is that everyone really wishes outsiders would stop bringing non-basketball issues into the WNBA. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Psychoanalytic concepts—projection, attachment, wishes and wish fulfillment—loom large. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 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

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

New York state requires riders of all forms of e-bikes to be at least 16, and New York City imposes additional restrictions, including a 15 mph (24 kph) speed limit.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
At issue are long-term capital gains taxes, which the federal government imposes on profits from the sale of a capital asset.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of imposes

Noun

King Charles and his heir, Prince William, have long wanted, and taken steps to create, a streamlined royal family — one more in keeping with the modern world and the often-conflicting desires of the British public.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Wild finds a group of mostly early 20-somethings toasting to causing trouble and giving in to their desires as the youngest member, Yoonchae Jeung, turns 18.

— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of desires

Noun

Though a seashore and park can be different in some respects, two laws dating to the 1970s direct the National Park Service to manage and regulate parks and seashores using the same standards.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Jeanie's Chickens Come Home To Roost In some respects, Jeanie's actions over the past 10 years laid the foundation for her siblings trying to undercut her with the latest sale of the franchise.

— Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of respects

Verb

If a deepfake inflicts commercial damage or misleads consumers, businesses can pursue civil claims for defamation or false light, alongside federal trademark suits under the Lanham Act.

— Allyson Kapin, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Fortunately, Green’s film exists — and was not thrown into a little black hole by a bunch of accountants, never to be seen again — and can surely help cure any of the pain its backstory still inflicts on movie fans and Tunes geeks.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 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

Securing passage for Iraqi tankers was also one of Baghdad’s main requests during Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s visit to Iraq, according to IRNA, with Iraq having been hard hit by the turmoil in the waterway.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
This is the first story in what CBS California Investigates expects to be an ongoing series on the state's LRP system, as public records requests are fulfilled.

— Julie Watts August 20, CBS News, 21 Aug. 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