as in pipe dream
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Recent Examples of will-o'-the-wisp
As the guitar-strumming will-o'-the-wisp Maria von Trapp, Julie Andrews taught us a few of her favorite things.
—
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for will-o'-the-wisp
Noun
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While full generational improvement may be a pipe dream, the movie at least suggests the benefits of the modern urge to explore and expose.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Oct. 2025
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Once the world learned that cashmere, thanks to Naadam, doesn’t have to be an inaccessible pipe dream making your wallet cry at the thought of it, even celebs got on board.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But in the middle of the sand dunes and rocks, how were these people supposed to tell oasis from mirage?—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
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Tucked away in the Arizona desert like a mirage with a liquor license is The Desert Bar, also known as the Nellie E Saloon.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Several sources say ignis fatuus, a spark of swamp gas, is the likely cause of the strange light.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
3 Mar. 2023
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The story also helped explain ignis fatuus, a natural phenomenon that occurs in marshlands and bogs—such as those in Ireland’s countryside—producing flickering lights as gases from decomposing organic matter combust.—
National Geographic,
National Geographic,
27 Oct. 2020
Noun
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The series can feel like a collective daydream.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Drawing fact and daydream together, Kelsey inserts herself into Loy’s story, acting like a bystander during interactions between Loy and Marcel Duchamp or Gertrude Stein.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Will-o'-the-wisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/will-o%27-the-wisp. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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