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
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.
But this seems like pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking. Gary Rivlin, Time, 4 June 2025 Also double-check information related to your health or a pet, because confusion combined with wishful thinking might create problems. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 8 May 2025 Any other strategy is wishful thinking, which will extend the war and cost more innocent lives. Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025 There is a plausible story and, so far, some wishful thinking, behind Academy Sports & Outdoors. William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for wishful thinking

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wishful thinking was in 1932

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wishful thinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wishful%20thinking. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on wishful thinking

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!