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
Alas, most of those statements are sheer wishful thinking and sometimes hype, designed to garner investors' support for the merger.
—
Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
These models contributed to wishful thinking that labor markets would adjust pretty easily to the trade shocks and that the workers harmed by trade would easily move to new sectors or places as the economy grew and changed.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025
There may be some wishful thinking driving its strategy.
—Yun Sun, Foreign Affairs, 6 Feb. 2025
However, the art of manifestation is not just about wishful thinking or writing things down on a comprehensive list.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for wishful thinking 
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Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
These models contributed to wishful thinking that labor markets would adjust pretty easily to the trade shocks and that the workers harmed by trade would easily move to new sectors or places as the economy grew and changed.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025
There may be some wishful thinking driving its strategy.
—Yun Sun, Foreign Affairs, 6 Feb. 2025
However, the art of manifestation is not just about wishful thinking or writing things down on a comprehensive list.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 8 Jan. 2025
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 20 Feb. 2025.
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