What are the differences between 望み, 志望, 希望 and 願い?

Question

Could anyone explain to me what the differences are between these words, both in meaning and usage?

Answer 1

• 望み
  • hope (expectation for future / expectation of surviving, sustaining)

    望みを捨てるな don't give up hope

  • desire, wish (expectation of obtaining / achieving)

    望み薄 fat chance

• 志望
  • aim of becoming (of profession, school etc.)

    志望動機 reason for applying (for the job etc.)

• 希望
  • hope; sounds slightly more bookish, but also more modern than 望み
  • wish, preference (request out of one's taste)

    希望が通る request is met

• 願い
  • wish, hope (which is not necessarily fulfilled by one's own effort)

    願いがかなう wish comes true

  • [suffixing] letter of (request for)...

    退職願 resignation letter

The word forms you provided are nouns, but of course they can be used as verbs with respective meanings.