wishful thinking

American  

noun

1. 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.

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wishful thinking British  

noun

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

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wishful thinking Idioms  

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• wishful thinker
  noun

Etymology

Origin of wishful thinking

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Nor is that wishful thinking: “With the launch of its GLM-5.2 model, Z.ai has mounted the most impressive Chinese challenge yet to US dominance in artificial intelligence,” writes Gavekal Research analyst Will Denyer.

From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026

The strangeness of “Ghost-Eye” will keep readers on their toes, but the book’s earnest, scientific framework makes it seem like an elaborate exercise in wishful thinking.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

If this sounds like wishful thinking, you can hardly be blamed.

From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026

And maybe that’s just wishful thinking, but it’s enough to inspire both professionals and amateurs.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

“A million dollars,” he answered, knowing it was really wishful thinking.

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty