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
Any other strategy is wishful thinking, which will extend the war and cost more innocent lives.
—
Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
There is a plausible story and, so far, some wishful thinking, behind Academy Sports & Outdoors.
—William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
The initial deadline for compliance was May 11, 2008 (wishful thinking), and by March 2017, half the states were still out of compliance with their ID-issuing processes.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 8 May 2025
Jim Watson | Afp | Getty Images What happens when irrational exuberance, groupthink, and wishful thinking begin to cloud narrative, dominate the rhetoric, and shape decision-making?
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wishful thinking
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.
Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
There is a plausible story and, so far, some wishful thinking, behind Academy Sports & Outdoors.
—William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
The initial deadline for compliance was May 11, 2008 (wishful thinking), and by March 2017, half the states were still out of compliance with their ID-issuing processes.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 8 May 2025
Jim Watson | Afp | Getty Images What happens when irrational exuberance, groupthink, and wishful thinking begin to cloud narrative, dominate the rhetoric, and shape decision-making?
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wishful thinking
Cite this Entry
“Wishful thinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wishful%20thinking. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share