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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pipe dream
All these ideas are purely pipe dreams and are absolutely unrealistic.
—
Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
At that time, the notion that Kelce could become one of the most accomplished tight ends in NFL history and boyfriend to Swift was a pipe dream at best.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025
Americans will soon find out if Project 2025 is a blueprint or a pipe dream.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2024
As long as Boston’s center depth is among the league’s absolute worst, the playoffs are going to be a pipe dream.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pipe dream 
Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
At that time, the notion that Kelce could become one of the most accomplished tight ends in NFL history and boyfriend to Swift was a pipe dream at best.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025
Americans will soon find out if Project 2025 is a blueprint or a pipe dream.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2024
As long as Boston’s center depth is among the league’s absolute worst, the playoffs are going to be a pipe dream.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pipe dream
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pipe dream
Noun
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Melina is the mother of a mixed family, led by patriarch Tim (an often unnecessary naked Lars Eidinger), who himself is a former leftist who’s killed his own years-dead liberal dreams by selling out to a company that makes performatively humanitarian promos for planet-wrecking corporations.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
14 Feb. 2025
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Louisiana, Arizona end pauses on capital punishment as 3 executions set for March Texas pastor with simple dream killed in his own church.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr.,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Again and again, the fantasies that fueled Trump’s candidacy are colliding with the reality of his presidency, and the result is already dispelling the illusions of many who advocated for him.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2025
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The panic party was a dangerous gamble designed to support the illusion that a ship had been abandoned.—
Sean Kingsley,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Devastated by her older sister Minnie's sudden death, Junie finds solace in poetry and fantastical daydreams, while secretly exploring the forest at night.—
Erin Crosby Eckstine,
People.com,
7 Feb. 2025
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The film takes you on an emotional journey through the girls’ memories, the reality of the situation and their daydreams, which helped keep them sane as 45 days passed before anyone realized what had happened to them.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
9 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Many of the archival clips had been featured in one or more of the prior anniversary shows, like Martin and Gilda Radner frantically dancing together at a bar, or a short film where Phil Hartman and Jan Hooks shared a fantasy waltz.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
17 Feb. 2025
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Set in a fantasy version of the Brazilian Sertão, an arid wasteland where men can shapeshift into birds of prey, protagonist Assum Preto is taken as a child by Carcara, an outlaw who aspires to be a local legend.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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One Oiler almost went with the two superstars but wanted Mattias Ekholm’s poise and vision.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
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Running a $10 billion district with more than 44,000 employees and 320,000 students demands a firm grasp of budgeting, a clear long-term vision and relentless focus on student outcomes.—
Sendhil Revuluri,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near pipe dream
Cite this Entry
“Pipe dream.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pipe%20dream. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.
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