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
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Recent Examples of pipe dream
Houston is really high on Udoka, so this may seem like a pipe dream.
—
Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Making changes like this can be difficult because estranged parents often don’t realize how important being on the same page is for their children so making such changes seems like a pipe dream.
—Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 1 June 2025
Even during The Divas era, when talent increased substantially with the arrival of The Bella Twins, Natalya, AJ Lee, Beth Phoenix, and others, the desire to see these women headline noteworthy premium live events like WrestleMania felt like a pipe dream.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 27 May 2025
The idea that wireless will replace every cable is still a pipe dream.
—Mark Vena, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pipe dream
Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Making changes like this can be difficult because estranged parents often don’t realize how important being on the same page is for their children so making such changes seems like a pipe dream.
—Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 1 June 2025
Even during The Divas era, when talent increased substantially with the arrival of The Bella Twins, Natalya, AJ Lee, Beth Phoenix, and others, the desire to see these women headline noteworthy premium live events like WrestleMania felt like a pipe dream.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 27 May 2025
The idea that wireless will replace every cable is still a pipe dream.
—Mark Vena, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pipe dream
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pipe dream
Noun
-
With the help of a starlet named Vera, her dream of meeting him slowly takes shape.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
8 July 2025
-
The onetime dream of widespread debt forgiveness has been extinguished, and a five-year reprieve for people who had defaulted on student loans expired in May of this year.—
Brit Morse,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
Noun
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But here’s the thing: Quantity isn’t the problem—illusion is.—
Sabeer Nelliparamban,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Bistro lighting hung overhead to give the illusion of a starry night sky.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
30 June 2025
Noun
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The maid gazes out the window, her mouth slightly open, as if lost in boredom or a daydream.—
Jerry Saltz,
Vulture,
2 July 2025
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For a home base that’s as inspiring as the journey itself, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay rises from the cliffs like something out of a coastal daydream.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Noun
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Competing authors are trapped in their respective science fiction/fantasy stories and need help getting each other out.—
WIRED,
Wired News,
10 July 2025
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This cosmic climate blurs the boundaries between fantasy and reality, offering you the opportunity to overcome challenges or doubts that have held you back in the past.—
Danijela Pilic,
Glamour,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Despite their shooting struggles, the performances of all four rookies hinted at the Nets’ vision for a versatile, dynamic roster.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
11 July 2025
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To all my babies that are listening to this one, big up yourself always because faith and hard work toward your vision will eventually place your dreams at your feet.—
Matthew Strauss,
Pitchfork,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pipe dream.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pipe%20dream. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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