wishful

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.

“This is not just our wishful thinking, it is what we hear from our customers.”

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

It was confusion, or maybe wishful thinking, or was it outright defiance?

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

Ali Vaez, an Iran analyst at International Crisis Group, said the idea that American and Israeli bombing would trigger a popular uprising in Iran is wishful thinking.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 28, 2026

Modest to a fault, “Midwinter Break” seems to float like something cautious and wishful, hoping along with the audience that this union’s individual strains will fall into harmony once more.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

There’s a peculiar, wishful kind of grammar for talking about things that are desirable, as opposed to things as they really are.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner