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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The belief that 30,000 European troops could stabilize Ukraine without U.S. involvement is wishful thinking at best and reckless at worst. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025 Maybe a team would be desperate enough to consider parting with a first-round pick, but that might be wishful thinking. Matthew Fairburn, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025 That might be wishful thinking, of course, given the increasingly hostile rhetoric from Trump towards Zelenskyy. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2025 Is that wishful thinking on Harden’s part or a real possibility? Janis Carr, Orange County Register, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wishful thinking

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wishful thinking was in 1932

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Cite this Entry

“Wishful thinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wishful%20thinking. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

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