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
The idea that renewables alone can power the American economy is nonsense given the current technology, green pipe dreams notwithstanding.
—
Editorial, Boston Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
That would have been a pipe dream.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Newsom and California Democrats are doing nothing more than posturing for his 2028 pipe dream.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
But acting was a pipe dream for a boy from Plaistow, where career advice leaned toward bricklaying or managing a Woolworths.
—Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pipe dream
Editorial, Boston Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
That would have been a pipe dream.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Newsom and California Democrats are doing nothing more than posturing for his 2028 pipe dream.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
But acting was a pipe dream for a boy from Plaistow, where career advice leaned toward bricklaying or managing a Woolworths.
—Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pipe dream
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pipe dream
Noun
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Are your security goals on course to support your bigger dreams in life?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
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Many surrealist artists cast women as muses or dream figures conjured for the male gaze.—
Sally Jane Brown,
The Conversation,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The milky manicure—which gives the illusion of a milky bath—has inspired plenty of spin-offs, usually worn with long almond nails.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
26 Sep. 2025
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As represented by Camus, absurdism emphasizes accepting the absurdity of life and finding joy without illusions, often through gallows humor.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The series can feel like a collective daydream.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Kacy Hill’s music sounds — and feels — like an ethereal daydream.—
Daniela Avila,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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American budgets, jobs, health, welfare and environmental treasures cannot afford more energy fantasies, especially offshore wind.—
Craig Rucker,
Boston Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
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Of course, people make boastful statements of dubious merit all the time, but, as our story explains, Robinson has monetized his fantasies by selling development masterclasses to aspiring writers and offering other services for a fee.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Much of the film, for all its bristling kineticism, unfolds in closeup; Anderson’s favorite vistas and visions can be mapped out in the human face.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
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Continue reading … EYES WIDE OPEN – Scientists unveil breakthrough eye drops that restore close-up vision without surgery.—
,
FOXNews.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pipe dream.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pipe%20dream. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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