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

Relevance

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

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 Leaving the lavatory smelly for the next passenger There’s another lavatory habit Peters wishes travelers would adopt—and this one could earn you some silent appreciation from whoever is waiting outside the door. — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2026 While disagreement has always been baked into the premise of The View, Hostin wishes more of those conversations happened away from television too. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026 School staff cannot lie to parents — including matters that a student wishes to conceal from their parents. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 15 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

FanDuel also imposes monthly deposit limits on accounts held by users under age 26.

— Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
As is common, there’s not nearly as much protection on iOS, mainly because the safeguards Apple imposes to defeat malware also defeat many malware-fighting techniques.

— Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of imposes

Noun

Contrary to their female counterparts, they are viewed as leaders, pursuing their inherent right to be heard and obtain all their manly desires.

— Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Put yourself in the perspective of your prospective customer, and create a campaign that taps into their desires and their fears, their wants and their needs.

— Ivan Doruda, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of desires

Noun

Families mourn at the festival site Hundreds of people paid their respects to the more than 350 people killed in and around the festival site.

— Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Friends, including Muslims, and relatives gathered at the Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza City to pay their respects during the funeral of the Christian mother and daughter.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of respects

Verb

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
The more suffering Russia inflicts on Ukrainian civilians, the more Europe invests in Ukraine’s defense and its own.

— MICHAEL KIMMAGE, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 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