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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 In this case, the Western perception of Iran and the pragmatic approaches that bypass frauds and wishful thinking is something that needs to realign first, added Tsukerman. Peter Suciu, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 But there’s way more to it than magical or wishful thinking. Julia Ries, SELF, 9 Oct. 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 16 Nov. 2024.

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