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

While putting on a trench or light sweater is still mostly wishful thinking—the hot, humid temps of summer always stick around longer than they’re wanted—now’s the time to start talking about fall fashion. — Joan Kennedy, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026

If Charlie Baker could do it, maybe a Minogue or Shortsleeve could too—or so the wishful thinking goes. — Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2026

The market is also moving the wrong way for wishful thinking. — Faisal Saeed, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

But without a concrete plan in place, this sounds like wishful thinking, especially when the more obvious solutions to fix the deficit remain untapped. — Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wishful thinking

• interlinking
• blinking
• clinking
• drinking
• inking
• kinking
• linking
• shrinking
• sinking
• slinking
• stinking
• winking