wishful

[wish-fuhl] / ˈwɪʃ fəl /

ADJECTIVE

desirous

Synonyms

WEAK

acquisitive ambitious aspiring craving daydreaming desiring greedy hankering hopeful itchy keen longful longing lustful wishing yearning

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

Sometimes it’s wishful thinking that feels like conviction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Or it could be some combination of bluff and wishful thinking.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

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

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

It was wishful thinking, and Gold knew it.

From "Bomb" by Steve Sheinkin