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
So, what benefits are real, and which are wishful thinking?
—
Lynn Andriani,
Martha Stewart,
23 June 2026
Vision without translation is just wishful thinking.
—
Kent Merrell,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Trump’s description of the current regime in Tehran as a bunch of swell guys was brewed in a heavy-duty vat of wishful thinking.
—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
Part is Washington’s wishful thinking.
—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for wishful thinking
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.
Lynn Andriani,
Martha Stewart,
23 June 2026
Vision without translation is just wishful thinking.
—
Kent Merrell,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Trump’s description of the current regime in Tehran as a bunch of swell guys was brewed in a heavy-duty vat of wishful thinking.
—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
Part is Washington’s wishful thinking.
—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
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 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
