wish fulfillment

noun

: the gratification of a desire especially symbolically (as in dreams, daydreams, or neurotic symptoms)

Examples of wish fulfillment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web By contrast, Diop’s film leaves behind history and wish fulfillment, preferring to explore what restitution means in the messy present and uncertain future. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2024 There’s nostalgia and wish fulfillment, and various opportunities (temptations, even) to reset the entire narrative and return to the comfort of equilibrium — but this has never been a show to shy away from a challenge. Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2024 This is wish fulfillment of a happier time, of a happier life, which clearly does not exist in the world of Arthur Fleck or anyone in the movie, really. Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Oct. 2024 The wish fulfillment is sweet, but a barrier to fleshing Noah out beyond the fantasy, let alone depicting his relationship with Joanne as a pairing of two equally complex individuals. Alison Herman, Variety, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wish fulfillment 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wish fulfillment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wish fulfillment was in 1908

Dictionary Entries Near wish fulfillment

Cite this Entry

“Wish fulfillment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wish%20fulfillment. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

wish fulfillment

noun
wish ful·​fill·​ment
-mənt
: the gratification of a desire especially symbolically (as in dreams or fantasies)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!