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
Doing otherwise makes one susceptible to wishful thinking and internal mind games.
—
Jim Euchner, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Such comments smack of wishful thinking or self-rationalization.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
Such a scheme would not have cost the city any money, but it was agreed that this was wishful thinking.
—Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
Strength and force are what is needed, not words and wishful thinking.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wishful thinking 
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Jim Euchner, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Such comments smack of wishful thinking or self-rationalization.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
Such a scheme would not have cost the city any money, but it was agreed that this was wishful thinking.
—Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
Strength and force are what is needed, not words and wishful thinking.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wishful thinking
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 22 Nov. 2024.
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