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
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
The Biden Administration reportedly considered lifting biting sanctions as part of confidence-building measures—and wishful thinking—that involved Damascus pledging to curb Iranian activities in the country.
—Hassan Hassan, Time, 8 Dec. 2025
The planet of dreams and collective consciousness has been reviewing lessons since July, forcing us to distinguish between what’s real and what’s wishful thinking in our lives.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 7 Dec. 2025
The Philippines, though, might be guilty of wishful thinking with their choice of Lav Diaz’s Cannes Premiere Magellan, a 160-minute biopic (short by Diaz’s usual standards) of a 16th-century Portuguese explorer starring Mexico’s Gael García Bernal.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2025
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Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2025
The Biden Administration reportedly considered lifting biting sanctions as part of confidence-building measures—and wishful thinking—that involved Damascus pledging to curb Iranian activities in the country.
—Hassan Hassan, Time, 8 Dec. 2025
The planet of dreams and collective consciousness has been reviewing lessons since July, forcing us to distinguish between what’s real and what’s wishful thinking in our lives.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 7 Dec. 2025
The Philippines, though, might be guilty of wishful thinking with their choice of Lav Diaz’s Cannes Premiere Magellan, a 160-minute biopic (short by Diaz’s usual standards) of a 16th-century Portuguese explorer starring Mexico’s Gael García Bernal.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 6 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 24 Dec. 2025.
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