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
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Recent Examples of pipe dream
Some skeptics view the idea as a pipe dream in tough fiscal times when the federal government is spending billions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the war in Iran.
—
Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2026
When Koy was moving up the comedy ranks under his real name Joseph Glenn Herbert, the thought of calling himself a comedian felt like a pipe dream.
—Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
At this point, making the playoffs outright is a pipe dream for the Trail Blazers.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
But again, Messi to MLS was once a pipe dream.
—Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pipe dream
Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2026
When Koy was moving up the comedy ranks under his real name Joseph Glenn Herbert, the thought of calling himself a comedian felt like a pipe dream.
—Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
At this point, making the playoffs outright is a pipe dream for the Trail Blazers.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
But again, Messi to MLS was once a pipe dream.
—Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pipe dream
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pipe dream
Noun
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For travelers with an adventurous spirit, Costa Rica’s South Pacific is a dream come true.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
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But what was once a distant dream is now coming true for more and more authors, all up and down the ladder of literary fame and prestige.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But then, over the course of several viewings, new recognitions dawned—on the social contract, illusions of class, and the artist’s deft use of color in this gorgeous study of red, white, and blue.—
Laura Brown,
Artforum,
25 Mar. 2026
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One abruptly gains social permission to behave just as mercifully—to go without the same illusion—to oneself.—
Caleb Crain,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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More than masturbatory daydreams, Vladimir inspires our heroine to write with abandon, ignoring professional and personal obligations in service to her muse.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
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Below, some of the finest, high-quality ruffled bedding around the web for creating the frothy bedscape of your daydreams.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Less dangerous but more common are fantasies and hallucinations, which Laye believes result from general fatigue.—
Brad Stulberg,
Outside,
26 Mar. 2026
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This leaves room for creative speculation that can stretch into fantasy.—
Andrew Coletti,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Other Democratic strategists too say the state party is pitching a longer-term vision to the national donors getting calls from Florida Democrats today in hopes of boosting their coffers after Tuesday’s over performance.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
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Trefethen led a similar portfolio at the philanthropic organization, Coefficient Giving, which is a major funder of the effective altruism community that has sometimes clashed with OpenAI’s vision for artificial intelligence.—
Thalia Beaty,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pipe dream.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pipe%20dream. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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