wishful thinking

noun

: the attribution of reality to what one wishes to be true or the tenuous justification of what one wants to believe

Examples of wishful thinking in a Sentence

The idea that the enemy will immediately surrender is nothing more than wishful thinking.
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.
Maybe a bye week spent on a hot Caribbean beach will solve his woes, but that’s probably wishful thinking. Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 2 Dec. 2024 And the expectation that Iranians, Lebanese, Palestinians, and Yemenis are going to rise up immediately and throw off the yoke of their brutal oppressors seems more like wishful thinking than informed analysis. Shalom Lipner, Foreign Affairs, 25 Nov. 2024 Shining a light on actual hiring practices, advocates believe, can help make diversity goals more than just wishful thinking or good intentions. Riley Robinson, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Nov. 2024 The Rockies’ wishful thinking and decision not to trade Bard came back to bite them. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wishful thinking 

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wishful thinking was in 1932

Dictionary Entries Near wishful thinking

Cite this Entry

“Wishful thinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wishful%20thinking. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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