wishful thinking

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.

wishful thinking

noun

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

Derived Forms

• wishful thinker, noun

Other Words From

• wishful thinker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wishful thinking¹

First recorded in 1925–30

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.

Example Sentences

With that went the wishful thinking that had comforted Israel’s worried Western allies.

From BBC

The national security risks with that kind of wishful thinking cannot be overstated.

From Los Angeles Times

This wishful thinking was not an effective containment strategy.

From Los Angeles Times

It may be aspirational wishful thinking on my part, but perhaps some of them would realize these “others” are their fellow Americans and brethren.

From Salon

Olympic host cities make promises that are all but impossible to keep, and in recent years, the organizers’ wishful thinking about housing and neighborhood redevelopment has been one of the cruelest Olympic disappointments.

From Los Angeles Times