View synonyms for

wishful thinking

noun

interpretation of facts, actions, words, etc., as one would like them to be rather than as they really are; imagining as actual what is not.

wishful thinking

noun

the erroneous belief that one's wishes are in accordance with reality

Discover More

Other Word Forms

wishful thinker noun

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of wishful thinking¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

Interpreting matters as one would like them to be, as opposed to what they really are. For example, Matthew wanted to be a basketball player, but with his height that was wishful thinking. This term comes from Freudian psychology of the mid-1920s and soon began to be used more loosely.

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

That may have been wishful thinking, he acknowledged.

From

This time, we’re the ones reading her face and left to guess how much of what we’ve seen is memory, or if it’s wishful thinking.

From

Or maybe it’s all wishful thinking on my part.

From

And expecting the first one this year is beyond wishful thinking.

From

When I say I believe we can get past this moment, it is not just wishful thinking.

From

wish fulfilment wishing well

Browse