as in dream
a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality
opening our own restaurant has long been a pipe dream
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of pipe dream
All these ideas are purely pipe dreams and are absolutely unrealistic.
—
Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
At that time, the notion that Kelce could become one of the most accomplished tight ends in NFL history and boyfriend to Swift was a pipe dream at best.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025
Americans will soon find out if Project 2025 is a blueprint or a pipe dream.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2024
As long as Boston’s center depth is among the league’s absolute worst, the playoffs are going to be a pipe dream.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pipe dream
Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
At that time, the notion that Kelce could become one of the most accomplished tight ends in NFL history and boyfriend to Swift was a pipe dream at best.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025
Americans will soon find out if Project 2025 is a blueprint or a pipe dream.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2024
As long as Boston’s center depth is among the league’s absolute worst, the playoffs are going to be a pipe dream.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pipe dream
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pipe dream
Noun
-
In 1881, a young businessman named John Taylor moved from Columbus, Ohio, to Kansas City with a dream of starting his own store.—
Randy Mason,
Kansas City Star,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Working with an entertainment group can offer you resources and creative teams to bring your dreams to life.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Again and again, the fantasies that fueled Trump’s candidacy are colliding with the reality of his presidency, and the result is already dispelling the illusions of many who advocated for him.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2025
-
The panic party was a dangerous gamble designed to support the illusion that a ship had been abandoned.—
Sean Kingsley,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Camping too close to a river Camping on the banks of a gently-flowing river is the stuff of daydreams, postcards, and Instagram posts.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
22 Feb. 2025
-
Along with the visions of carpaccio dancing through my head, my enchanting spa day and thrilling hours on the mountain have occupied wistful daydreams since my journey to Colorado.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Many of the archival clips had been featured in one or more of the prior anniversary shows, like Martin and Gilda Radner frantically dancing together at a bar, or a short film where Phil Hartman and Jan Hooks shared a fantasy waltz.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Set in a fantasy version of the Brazilian Sertão, an arid wasteland where men can shapeshift into birds of prey, protagonist Assum Preto is taken as a child by Carcara, an outlaw who aspires to be a local legend.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Running a $10 billion district with more than 44,000 employees and 320,000 students demands a firm grasp of budgeting, a clear long-term vision and relentless focus on student outcomes.—
Sendhil Revuluri,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2025
-
One Oiler almost went with the two superstars but wanted Mattias Ekholm’s poise and vision.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pipe dream.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pipe%20dream. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share