wishful thinking

noun
UK: /ˈwɪʃfʊl ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/
US: /ˈwɪʃfəl ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/

  1. Believing that something will happen simply because you want it to, even if it is unlikely.

    1. Hoping to win the lottery is just wishful thinking.
    2. His belief that the project would succeed despite all evidence to the contrary was pure wishful thinking.

  2. The tendency to believe optimistic or positive outcomes will occur even when unrealistic.

    1. Thinking you can pass without studying is wishful thinking.
    2. The company's projections for growth were based more on wishful thinking than on actual market analysis.

Synonyms

delusion fantasy optimism pipe dream daydream illusion

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "wishful thinking" in English means: Believing that something will happen simply because you want it to, even if it is unlikely., The tendency to believe optimistic or positive outcomes will occur even when unrealistic..

The phonetic transcription of "wishful thinking" is /ˈwɪʃfʊl ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/ in British English and /ˈwɪʃfəl ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "wishful thinking": delusion, fantasy, optimism, pipe dream, daydream, illusion.

Example usage of "wishful thinking": "Hoping to win the lottery is just wishful thinking.". More examples on the page.