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pipe dream

noun

Synonyms of pipe dreamnext
: an illusory or fantastic plan, hope, or story

Examples of pipe dream in a Sentence

His plan for starting his own business was just a pipe dream. opening our own restaurant has long been a pipe dream
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That kind of turnaround remains a pipe dream for a Wolves team already four points adrift of that Newcastle side at the same stage and without the benefit of wealthy new owners. Steve Madeley, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025 Music promoters, both craving the one-upmanship and genuine satisfaction of getting a lucrative band back on a stage, have more money at their disposal than ever before to make their pipe dreams a reality. Devon Ivie, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025 The stalker pipe dreams need to stop here. Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025 Friends called it a pipe dream. Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pipe dream

Word History

Etymology

from the fantasies brought about by the smoking of opium

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pipe dream was in 1890

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pipe dream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pipe%20dream. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

pipe dream

noun
: an unreal and fantastic idea, wish, or story
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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