will-o'-the-wisp

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.

More myths would have surrounded the eerie blue glow of will-o'-the-wisp – methane from peat beds burning over the top of the marshes.

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2024

Instead, for some reason, he followed Javy Báez down the line, as if Javy Báez was a will-o’-the-wisp.

From Slate • May 27, 2021

The film is, as promised, something very special: a careworn, will-o’-the-wisp road movie, contained within a memory that may or may not be imagined.

From The Guardian • Aug. 24, 2019

In fairness to Itzkoff, it’s this very will-o’-the-wisp quality that makes Williams a tricky man to pin down.

From New York Times • May 15, 2018

At this point, however, Dr. Pickett and his associates struck out on a new road instead of going along with other entomologists who continued to pursue the will-o’-the-wisp of the ever more toxic chemical.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson