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
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The only hope comes from gloomy Americans and forlorn Eastern Europeans in service to a weary national idea. Armond White, National Review, 2 May 2025 So much so that the team’s only hope of playing in next season’s Champions League is to win the Europa League this campaign – though the two-legged tie with the La Liga side will be challenging to say the least. Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 1 May 2025 The solution to such an approach has always been the same but bears repeating: unity is our only hope, solidarity our primary strategy. Viet Thanh Nguyễn, Time, 28 Apr. 2025 The only hope is that a deal can be agreed between the two clubs to allow Veiga to remain in Serie A for another year. Emmet Gates, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for only wish/want/hope

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Cite this Entry

“Only wish/want/hope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/only%20wish%2Fwant%2Fhope. Accessed 18 May. 2025.

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