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
Related Articles Walters: Newsom, legislators try gimmicks, wishful thinking to close California’s budget deficit
Former state Controller Betty Yee, who’s running to replace Newsom in 2027, advocated tax reform for years but ultimately backed off.
—
George Skelton, The Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2024
Candid, forthright, and often courageous, this book cuts through decades of bromides, wishful thinking, and unconstructive ambiguity to assess the long and painful struggle to establish democracy in Israel.
—Lisa Anderson, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
Manchin saw it as wishful thinking, indicating the coach has zero aspirations in politics.
—Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2024
But the main reason is that NASA's estimate of a 50 percent cost reduction appears to be based on magical and wishful thinking.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 13 Oct. 2023
But the idea in Washington — expressed most clearly last week by Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) — that new elections, and Netanyahu’s possible ouster, would dramatically shift Israel’s approach to Gaza and the Palestinians may be wishful thinking.
—William Booth, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
Or maybe this was just wishful thinking, my desire for a story with a taste of freedom in it.
—Carina Del Valle Schorske, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
What the state had sued over wasn’t a few mistakes by otherwise well-meaning people without a sophisticated business background, or a little bit of wishful thinking in estimating properties.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
The idea that Haley could emerge as the alternate at the Republican convention if Trump is toppled by his legal woes is wishful thinking, strategists told USA TODAY.
—USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2024
George Skelton, The Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2024
Candid, forthright, and often courageous, this book cuts through decades of bromides, wishful thinking, and unconstructive ambiguity to assess the long and painful struggle to establish democracy in Israel.
—Lisa Anderson, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
Manchin saw it as wishful thinking, indicating the coach has zero aspirations in politics.
—Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2024
But the main reason is that NASA's estimate of a 50 percent cost reduction appears to be based on magical and wishful thinking.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 13 Oct. 2023
But the idea in Washington — expressed most clearly last week by Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) — that new elections, and Netanyahu’s possible ouster, would dramatically shift Israel’s approach to Gaza and the Palestinians may be wishful thinking.
—William Booth, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
Or maybe this was just wishful thinking, my desire for a story with a taste of freedom in it.
—Carina Del Valle Schorske, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
What the state had sued over wasn’t a few mistakes by otherwise well-meaning people without a sophisticated business background, or a little bit of wishful thinking in estimating properties.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
The idea that Haley could emerge as the alternate at the Republican convention if Trump is toppled by his legal woes is wishful thinking, strategists told USA TODAY.
—USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2024
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.
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 3 May. 2024.
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