Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

wish

[wish] / wɪʃ /
NOUN
desire
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ambition aspiration choice hope inclination intention longing prayer preference request will yearning
STRONG
disposition hankering hunger invocation itch liking pleasure thirst urge want whim yen
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dislike hate hatred
VERB
desire
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aspire choose crave envy please prefer want yearn
STRONG
beg command covet elect entreat expect fancy hanker hope hunger invoke itch like long need order request solicit thirst will yen
WEAK
desiderate look forward to pray for set one's heart on sigh for spoil for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dislike hate spurn
STRONG
answer despise give ignore

Usage

What are other ways to say wish?

To wish is to feel an impulse toward attainment or possession of something; the strength of the feeling may be of greater or lesser intensity: I wish I could go home. Desire, a more formal verb, suggests a strong wish: They desire liberation. Want, usually colloquial in use, suggests a feeling of lack or need that imperatively demands fulfillment: People all over the world want peace.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I started feeling a while back ‘you know, I wish I had a place to put these conversations,’” Mason said in a recent interview.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Among those who do participate, many wish they had more guidance on how to invest their retirement assets.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

There are scattered moments of levity on “The Great Divide,” but one can’t help but wish for a few more.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

The first Lions match may be when England get their wish in seeing 22-year-old left-hander James Rew face the new ball.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Either way, I was getting my wish and moving into student housing at last.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Vocabulary lists containing wish

Mother's Day Words: What Mothers Do

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!