wishful thinking

noun

: the attribution of reality to what one wishes to be true or the tenuous justification of what one wants to believe

Examples of wishful thinking in a Sentence

The idea that the enemy will immediately surrender is nothing more than wishful thinking.

Recent Examples on the Web But such wishful thinking doesn’t pay the bills — or keep the lights on. —

Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 22 July 2024 Though House Republicans are hoping to pass a slate of government funding bills to prepare for the next spending deadline, which is at the end of September, Upton says that’s wishful thinking in an election year. —

Ken Tran, USA TODAY, 16 May 2024 And expecting a fragile team to suddenly become a healthy team also appears wishful thinking. —

Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 July 2024 Or is this just wishful thinking for two boys of this age? —

Meghan Leahy, Washington Post, 20 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for wishful thinking

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wishful thinking.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of wishful thinking was in 1932

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Wishful thinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wishful%20thinking. Accessed 20 Aug. 2024.

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