only wish/want/hope
idiom
—used to stress that someone's wishing/wanting/hoping something is the simple truth
He only wished she'd told him sooner.
I only wish I knew what was going on.
He only wanted to help.
I only hope she can get over this.
Examples of only wish/want/hope in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Her only hope for her daughters is to rely on the public education system.
—
Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
But if you aren't allowed to talk about solutions, the only hope is to fight back.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
For now, the Yankees, already in the midst of a painful spring, can only hope that Cole’s elbow isn’t a serious issue.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2025
The only hope right now is something will click when (or if) point guard Jalen Suggs gets back from what has to be one of the longest thigh-contusion injuries in sports history.
—Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for only wish/want/hope
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.
Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
But if you aren't allowed to talk about solutions, the only hope is to fight back.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
For now, the Yankees, already in the midst of a painful spring, can only hope that Cole’s elbow isn’t a serious issue.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2025
The only hope right now is something will click when (or if) point guard Jalen Suggs gets back from what has to be one of the longest thigh-contusion injuries in sports history.
—Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for only wish/want/hope
Cite this Entry
“Only wish/want/hope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/only%20wish%2Fwant%2Fhope. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share