as in dream
a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality
opening our own restaurant has long been a pipe dream
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pipe dream
At this point, a 90-win season looks like a pipe dream.
—
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2025
Either way, the pipe dream of massive spending cuts without risk or pain is already dead.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Playoff hopes have suddenly become a playoff pipe dream for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
While Manchester United’s stadium development is still a pipe dream, in need of financing and planning permission, their new stadium is a tangible reality already.
—Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pipe dream
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2025
Either way, the pipe dream of massive spending cuts without risk or pain is already dead.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Playoff hopes have suddenly become a playoff pipe dream for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
While Manchester United’s stadium development is still a pipe dream, in need of financing and planning permission, their new stadium is a tangible reality already.
—Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pipe dream
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pipe dream
Noun
-
Big advances in artificial intelligence have renewed some scientists’ dream of eventually understanding what dolphins are saying.—
Melissa Hobson,
Scientific American,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Photo: Luca Strano A dream, perhaps, but one that became reality through a lot of hard work.—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Increased and personalized long-term memory, in combination with the ability to act, is likely to create an illusion of vivid personalities in agents, even when that is not an explicit goal.—
Jaron Lanier,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
-
While most magicians rely on illusion, gadgets, and cutting-edge technology, Blaine’s magic is grounded in raw human endurance, discipline, and the ability to push the limits of both body and mind.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The video poignantly contrasts between a life with and without the threat of gun violence through a little girl’s daydream.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
10 Mar. 2025
-
But true love isn’t built in daydreams—it’s built in real-time, with real people.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The Film Says A Lot Without Saying Much This is a fantasy adventure film that involves mythical creatures.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
18 Apr. 2025
-
But The Wheel of Time is the strangest, most colorful large-scale fantasy on TV.—
Sean T. Collins,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Fans have bought into the vision of multiple general managers and the potential of a long list of high draft picks.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Though these creators share a state in common, their perspectives are vastly different, informed by their international backgrounds, personal history, creative vision and varying media.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pipe dream.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pipe%20dream. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share