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
Realistically, that’s a pipe dream.
—
Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 8 Jan. 2026
What was once thought of as a pipe dream for hockey fans in South Florida is about to finally become reality.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
Aikman, who won three Super Bowls with the franchise under Jones, would seemingly be an ideal candidate for Jones to eschew some or all of his GM duties off on, but there’s little evidence that’s ever been more than a pipe dream for Cowboys fans.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026
Music promoters, both craving the one-upmanship and genuine satisfaction of getting a lucrative band back on a stage, have more money at their disposal than ever before to make their pipe dreams a reality.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pipe dream
Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 8 Jan. 2026
What was once thought of as a pipe dream for hockey fans in South Florida is about to finally become reality.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
Aikman, who won three Super Bowls with the franchise under Jones, would seemingly be an ideal candidate for Jones to eschew some or all of his GM duties off on, but there’s little evidence that’s ever been more than a pipe dream for Cowboys fans.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026
Music promoters, both craving the one-upmanship and genuine satisfaction of getting a lucrative band back on a stage, have more money at their disposal than ever before to make their pipe dreams a reality.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pipe dream
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pipe dream
Noun
-
Being cheated on or in an abusive relationship can leave a deep imprint on one’s psyche and lead to an ex appearing in dreams.—
Lisa Wong Macabasco,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2026
-
What initially appears to be a Marxist dream state soon reveals itself as a system maintained through algorithmic control and absolute surveillance.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And the safety of inaction is an illusion.—
Brendan Keegan,
Rolling Stone,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Lea Haddad's luscious, curly mane no doubt employs some invisible layers to lighten the load, but the overall appearance gives the illusion of the same sharp, heavy-ended finish created by blunt cuts.—
Krista Carter,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Shortly after, the book began to take shape, with new elements often arriving in vivid daydreams and eerie nightmares.—
Charlie Vargas,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
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And like the iconic Orient-Express (whose original route has been revived by Belmond's Venice Simplon-Orient-Express), the Champagne flutes, suited servers, and glossy design of this locomotive hold a seductive potential for daydreams and drama.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
With the help of Mariah Carey, the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony will be a sweet, sweet fantasy.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Left for dead by most fantasy players, CMC was a man on a mission.—
Bill Reinhard,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But his vision for the board to be a mediator of worldwide conflicts has led to skepticism from major allies.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
-
His vision was rooted in hope, healing and the belief that young adult cancer fighters deserve moments of freedom, strength and joy, said Kelly Schwartz, the center’s operations manager.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pipe dream.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pipe%20dream. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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