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
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
The stalker pipe dreams need to stop here.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Friends called it a pipe dream.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pipe dream
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
The stalker pipe dreams need to stop here.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Friends called it a pipe dream.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pipe dream
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pipe dream
Noun
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When the kids find a cave full of silver, Ollie’s dreams seem suddenly within reach, and an Old West adventure to claim the riches ensues.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
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Like a lot of musicians, Aleister has to navigate an existence filled with booze, weed, groupies, the spotlight, entitled rock stars, family members who don’t understand the dream, and band dynamics.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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If choosing between communicating a less impressive truth versus a more sparkling illusion, keep it real and build credibility.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
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Romance, at least in its early stages, is a fragile illusion.—
Eileen Kelly,
Vogue,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
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Left for dead by most fantasy players, CMC was a man on a mission.—
Bill Reinhard,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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His vision was not impacted and Caleb is now recovering at home, Loyola Medicine said.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
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The outstanding director of the year award celebrates filmmakers whose singular vision and command of craft have shaped the cinematic conversation.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pipe dream.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pipe%20dream. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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