wish
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.
See Examples For:
“I’m crushed and wish mommy could’ve took all of the pain and sickness for you,” she later wrote on Facebook.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
“I wish they were more popular. It’s really hard to get education out there on healthcare benefits. There’s no effective way that showcases how to make good use of those funds,” Walsh said.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
What I don’t hear as much, though, and what I wish were part of this conversation, is that the House also gives smaller states an edge.
From Slate ● Jul. 31, 2026
One luxury hotel in Simeiz –- whose managers did not wish to be named –- said it was offering 30 per cent discounts to bring the tourists back.
From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026
“I don’t know where he was staying. I wish that I did, but truly I never met your father at all.”
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
Outspoken about the ongoing plight of Palestinians, Bardem wishes more people could apply the lessons they mine from fiction they consume to the world in turmoil.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026
“The California Constitution requires the legislature to go back to the voters if it wishes to amend or repeal a voter-passed law like Prop. 28.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
But then you ask if they’re willing to share any portion of the plan, any values, any beliefs, any hopes and wishes — and you hear, “They don’t need to know anything right now.”
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026
George thought she had scattered his ashes at Bridlington Harbour, as per his wishes, and said the discovery had made "me feel sick and the hairs prickle on the back of my neck".
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
"So did I. It was King Raven! He has disguised himself and become the wind. He wishes to cause us trouble."
From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell
"We wished we helped a bit more, but we did what we could," she said.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
The next day he wished New York’s Jews a “peaceful” fast, in which “mourners will pause and reflect on the history and resiliency of the Jewish people.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
Newcastle do not want to lose another big name in Bruno Guimaraes, but the captain's future is uncertain after he intimated he wished to join Arsenal.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Freya said she wished she could feel comfortable dancing, being silly and enjoying the moment, but the thought of seeing videos of herself was "quite a big worry".
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
“I don’t think Rowdy wished for a bone or a meat rind,” she said.
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
He sets so many plots in motion that you can’t help wishing he might forget about one or two of them.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
Under parliamentary rules, an MP wishing to resign their seat must write to the chancellor, who can formally refuse but normally accepts the request as a matter of convention.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026
“Our entire practice joins in wishing you a fantastic birthday filled with joy and good health!”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
“I realized a lot of wives were wishing their husbands were there and they weren’t,” he said.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 23, 2026
He squirmed on his mat, wishing uselessly that Headmaster hadn’t selected him, picturing the cub chased by a hungry crocodile, counting the minutes until the sun would finally rise.
From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins
Vocabulary lists containing wish
