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
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 
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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
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 17 Dec. 2024.
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