Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The direction of Michael Greif and Schele Williams valiantly tries to contain the material’s hokiness without undercutting the wishfulness that lies at the heart of the story’s broad emotional appeal.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2026

“There’s a kind of wishfulness to the movie in that it assumes there are still scandals that could potentially demolish someone,” Mr. Harris said.

From New York Times • Nov. 20, 2016

There’s a degree of wishfulness here, since any advance will hinge of taming the very forces whose existence form the spine of modern Brazilian history.

From Slate • Aug. 7, 2016

During the last days of 1963, at the height of the widowed First Lady’s public deification, Pearson writes, with more wishfulness than evidence, that “resentment against Jackie is mounting” among Washington ladies who lunch.

From The New Yorker • Sep. 28, 2015

Thayer made no answer, and she sat looking up at him with a steady wishfulness which made him uneasy.

From The Dominant Strain by Edwards, H. C. (Harry C.)