magical thinking

American  

noun

1. a conviction that thinking is equivalent to doing, occurring in dreams, the thought patterns of children, and some types of mental disorders, especially obsessive-compulsive disorder.

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Example Sentences

And some of what appeared to be magical thinking: “When this conflict is over, the strait will open up naturally.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

It takes magical thinking to grow anything in the harsh desert environment, which is why artists have been making the trek for decades.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Each of these proposals attempts to address real problems but are either the result of magical thinking or will do more harm than good.

From Barron's • Nov. 7, 2025

Unlike what Joan Didion once suggested, magical thinking is no longer reserved for those who are grieving.

From Salon • Jan. 5, 2025

I’m not the kind of person who’s prone to premonitions or overconfidence, so I suspected that there was more to my flash than magical thinking.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman