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

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

Related 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

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 wish

Verb

Golding wishes more people would enroll in hospice as soon as they’re diagnosed with a terminal illness. — Michael Collins, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 In fact, many of the flats that follow bring all the polish of your favorite heels—without leaving you wishing you’d worn them instead. — Kate Boswell, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2026

Noun

Bear then tries to get Ian to reverse the wish, but Ian wishes for money instead. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026 Carr issued a statement congratulating Thumann Severs but did not express any wish for a five-member commission. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wish

Verb

And while several Asian countries imposed emergency measures to conserve fuel, a lengthy and catastrophic shortage never materialized.

— Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Meta agreed to impose changes including a default two-hour daily time limit for teens across Facebook and Instagram, muted notifications during school hours, and enhanced parental controls, with more updates potentially on the horizon.

— Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of impose

Verb

The Tehran region director of the NIOPDC also said that damage inflicted on Tehran’s petroleum product storage and distribution infrastructure during the war has created some constraints on fuel distribution.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
The war has already battered Iran’s economy and inflicted mounting pain on ordinary people.

— David Rising, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of inflict

Verb

The league also wants to make players eligible for the Rule 5 draft earlier in their careers.

— Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Hammack voted to raise rates at the Fed’s last meeting in July, but she was outvoted by fellow members of the Federal Open Market Committee who wanted to keep them steady.

— Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of want

Noun

All the climate stories in this show are part of the desire to be authentic, but also speak to what our audiences are living through.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Younger consumers' enthusiasm for fall, a desire to plan ahead and retailers' efforts to extend seasonal spending may all be helping drive the shift.

— Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of desire

Verb

Shop the Patio Zen Deck Box in black or gray and choose from 16 capacities ranging from 30 to 320 gallons.

— Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
Festivalgoers were never forced to choose between artists, as sets were separated by 10-minute breaks, preventing overlap.

— Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of choose

Noun

Seafood is the star of the show here—especially the shrimp and grits and crab cakes, which Bernthal says are a must-order.

— Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026
Downtown shopping is a must, Southern Living says, with a local bookstore and village shop.

— Eva Flowe August 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of must

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“Wish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wish. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of wish

verb

noun

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Synonyms of wish

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing wish

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

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conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

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