pipe dream

noun

Definition of pipe dreamnext
as in dream
a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality opening our own restaurant has long been a pipe dream

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of pipe dream Arendt then cited Wilhelm Marr’s Sieg des Judentums über das Germanentum (The Victory of Judaism over Teutonism, 1869), thus lining up all the antisemitic pipe dreams that came close to fulfillment. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026 Forever is not just a pipe dream for the high school senior after winning the Jimmy Award. — Madeline Montgomery, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 When brand new entry-level telescopes start at a few hundred dollars, the idea of getting anything decent for pocket change sounds like a pipe dream. — Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Before 1999, the thought of all your favorite video game characters beating the tar out of each other on the same video game console felt like a pipe dream. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pipe dream
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pipe dream
  1. dream
  2. illusion
  3. daydream
  4. fantasy
  5. vision
Noun
  • Each vignette of time reveals how time, our upbringing, and even our individual dreams shape the path of our lives and who ultimately ends up beside us for the ride.
    — Emmalee Reed, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
  • In childhood, in adulthood, in her old age, Evans was besotted by dreams, turbulent, awesome, pictorial dreams.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of dream
Noun
  • The result is an illusion of depth that ultimately spits out the exact same generic, corner-cutting structure.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Gillian Jacobs as Jerri Dougan Gerry was the starting quarterback for the Catfish at the beginning of the first season until Danny (Frankie Rodriguez) — the school mascot who helps turn Russ into Chad and keep up his illusion — trips him.
    — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of illusion
Noun
  • The next day, Luwi had a similar daydream, but this time the disapproving patriarch was Gajdusek.
    — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • And amidst the momentum of reverie, there’s the line ‘Blink at the light and hope to survive,’ because daydreams in a fascist state can be scary too.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 June 2026
Definition of daydream
Noun
  • Denver also has a very good run defense, which will delay Walker’s coming-out party as a fantasy football star by a week.
    — Vic Tafur, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • This episode is trying to sell us the fantasy that the new RHONY is better than the old RHONY.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of fantasy
Noun
  • Bowling ball, balanced, has vision, compact, efficient, tough.
    — Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Listen to useful feedback, but decide which part of your vision matters most.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of vision

Browse Nearby Words

pipe down
pipe dream
pipe dreams
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pipe dream.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pipe%20dream. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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