pipe dream

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.

When Koy was moving up the comedy ranks under his real name Joseph Glenn Herbert, the thought of calling himself a comedian felt like a pipe dream.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026

Purity is a pipe dream, though, because the politics of quitting booze are, like drinkers themselves, messy.

From Slate • Feb. 15, 2026

That, of course, As usual, that was a pipe dream.

From Salon • Jan. 13, 2026

But for much of America’s 250-year history, eight-hour work days and five-day workweeks were a pipe dream.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 11, 2025

“Both fully realized,” Alexander wrote later, “that War Admiral’s connections would pay no attention at all to the pipe dream of a mere newspaper columnist.”

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand