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
Doing otherwise makes one susceptible to wishful thinking and internal mind games.
—
Jim Euchner, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Such comments smack of wishful thinking or self-rationalization.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
Such a scheme would not have cost the city any money, but it was agreed that this was wishful thinking.
—Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
Strength and force are what is needed, not words and wishful thinking.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wishful thinking 
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.
Jim Euchner, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Such comments smack of wishful thinking or self-rationalization.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
Such a scheme would not have cost the city any money, but it was agreed that this was wishful thinking.
—Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
Strength and force are what is needed, not words and wishful thinking.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wishful thinking
Dictionary Entries Near wishful thinking
Cite this Entry
“Wishful thinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wishful%20thinking. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share