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
Open your eyes outside of wishful thinking and decide based on patterns.
—
Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026
That’s probably wishful thinking, but still.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
That wishful thinking is understandable (and completely relatable).
—Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 25 Dec. 2025
The British publication’s report isn’t just based on wishful thinking about the road-going version of the company’s future GT3 race car.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wishful thinking
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Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026
That’s probably wishful thinking, but still.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
That wishful thinking is understandable (and completely relatable).
—Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 25 Dec. 2025
The British publication’s report isn’t just based on wishful thinking about the road-going version of the company’s future GT3 race car.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wishful thinking
Cite this Entry
“Wishful thinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wishful%20thinking. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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