only wish/want/hope

idiom

—used to stress that someone's wishing/wanting/hoping something is the simple truth

He only wished she'd told him sooner.

I only wish I knew what was going on.

He only wanted to help.

I only hope she can get over this.

Examples of only wish/want/hope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

TikTok's only hope may lie with President-elect Donald Trump, who will be sworn in on Monday, and the incoming administration. —

Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2025 Since all of them ultimately said 'no thanks,' the trade market feels like the Giants' only hope of adding a top-tier home run hitter. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025 Their only hope lies with the wildly inconsistent Matthew Stafford, who ate up the Minnesota Vikings blitzes last week. —

Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025 If the Suns don't swing a deal for Butler by the trade deadline, their only hope to land him over the offseason would be encouraging him to pick up his player option. —

Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for only wish/want/hope

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“Only wish/want/hope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/only%20wish%2Fwant%2Fhope. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

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