unwish means to wish not to be; to destroy by wishing. It carries an Arena rating of 1498, earned across 5 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, unwish ranks #418 of 17,128 for Most Whimsical Words, #1,070 of 17,130 for Most Ingenious Words, #1,264 of 17,122 for Most Betrayed by Its Sound, #2,045 of 17,118 for Scariest Words.
Why “unwish” is a great word
To revoke or cease to desire something previously wished for. From the prefix un- (expressing reversal) and the verb wish. Unlike "renounce," which implies a formal or public rejection of a belief or claim, or "regret," which denotes sorrow about a past action, to unwish is a private, internal act of retraction. It is the second thought in the dark after the birthday candles are blown out, the silent plea for a letter already sealed and sent to remain unsent, the faint, fading echo of a prayer you now hope God did not hear. It is the heart's quietest surgery, performed without anesthesia, on the self alone.
verb
- To wish not to be; to destroy by wishing.e.g.“Now thou hast unwished five thousand men.”
- To undo a wish
Words closest in meaning
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