Thesaurus results for WISH

Q: How does the verb 'wish' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of wish are covet , crave , desire , and want . While all these words mean "to have a longing for," wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable. // wishes for permanent world peace

Q: When can 'covet' be used instead of 'wish'?

The meanings of covet and wish largely overlap; however, covet implies strong envious desire. // covets his rise to fame

Q: In what contexts can 'crave' take the place of 'wish'?

While the synonyms crave and wish are close in meaning, crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need. // craves sweets

Q: When would 'desire' be a good substitute for 'wish'?

Although the words desire and wish have much in common, desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim. // desires to start a new life

Q: Where would 'want' be a reasonable alternative to 'wish'?

The words want and wish can be used in similar contexts, but want specifically suggests a felt need or lack. // wants to have a family

wish 1 of 2

verb

ˈwish

Definition of wish next

as in to impose

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

Relevance

as in to please

to see fit you're free to sit wherever you wish

Synonyms & Similar Words

wish

2 of 2

noun

as in request

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb wish differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of wish are covet, crave, desire, and want. While all these words mean "to have a longing for," wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable.

wishes for permanent world peace

When can covet be used instead of wish?

The meanings of covet and wish largely overlap; however, covet implies strong envious desire.

covets his rise to fame

In what contexts can crave take the place of wish?

While the synonyms crave and wish are close in meaning, crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need.

craves sweets

When would desire be a good substitute for wish?

Although the words desire and wish have much in common, desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim.

desires to start a new life

Where would want be a reasonable alternative to wish?

The words want and wish can be used in similar contexts, but want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.

wants to have a family

Examples of wish in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In August 2024, the 25-year-old Chavez shared a message on Instagram stories wishing his girlfriend a happy birthday alongside a photo of her on vacation in Italy. —

Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 25 Oct. 2024 In fact, on the diamond, Clay Holmes wishes Clay Holmes nothing but the worst. —

Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024

Noun

Even when companies seemingly acceded to his wishes, many simply stalled and reversed course the moment Trump left office. —

Steven Tian, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2024 Despite Faulkner’s wishes that all three of her children become computer programmers like herself (only one did), Dall’Osto instead joined the Peace Corps, then AmeriCorps and later a children’s literacy nonprofit before getting a master’s degree in nonprofit management. —

Katie Jennings, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wish

Verb

During the 2021-22 session of the California Legislature, Golden State lawmakers and Governor Gavin Newsom (D) enacted Assembly Bill 257, legislation that created the first state Fast Food Council, a new Sacramento bureaucracy tasked with imposing costly new regulations on franchisees.

Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Additionally, there’s widespread support for Prop. 36, a November ballot measure that imposes stricter penalties for retail theft, among other things.

Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024