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

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.

That photo sparked an idea for a story of four best friends who only want to have a good time all the time. —

Marc Berman, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 The left’s only hope of picking up any seats appears to be in Florida and Texas, where Sen. Rick Scott and Cruz face strong Democratic challengers but are still widely favored to win. —

Alison Durkee, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 But a degree of democracy was the Convention’s only hope to preserve the republic. —

Jane E. Calvert / Made By History, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024 The researchers could only hope that the next field season would turn up cranial and dental specimens. —

Donald C. Johanson, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for only wish/want/hope

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“Only wish/want/hope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/only%20wish%2Fwant%2Fhope. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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