wishful
Hoping against odds
Wishful describes thinking or feeling shaped by desire rather than reality.
A wishful hope or wishful thought reflects what someone wants to be true, not what evidence supports.
The phrase wishful thinking is especially common, suggesting self-deception or unfounded optimism: It's wishful thinking to believe he'll change.
Lacking basis in reality
- impracticalNot suited for use
- idealisticPursuing unrealistic standards
- quixoticImpractically pursuing lofty goals
- pie-in-the-skyUnrealistic hope or promise
delusional · starry-eyed · innocent · romantic · utopian · overoptimistic · Pollyanna · rose-colored
Conscious fantasy while awake
- reverieAbstracted, pleasant daydream
- fantasyImaginative mental wandering
- imaginationFaculty for forming ideas
- musingReflective contemplation
whimsical · fanciful · escapism · wistful · starry-eyed · head-in-clouds · woolgathering · fancying
Aching with prolonged desire
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- cravingPowerful urge to have
- nostalgiaLonging for the past
- wistfulnessTender sadness for absence
aching · desire · languishing · sighing · miss · fondness · heartache · sentimentality
Expecting positive results
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- expectationBelief about future outcomes
- desireIntense wanting
- hopingDesiring with expectation
sanguine · rosy · bright · eager · positive · buoyant · faith · confidence
unrealistic
Lacking basis in reality
- impracticalNot suited for use
- idealisticPursuing unrealistic standards
- quixoticImpractically pursuing lofty goals
pie-in-the-sky · delusional · starry-eyed · innocent · romantic · utopian · overoptimistic · Pollyanna · rose-colored · groundless
daydream
Conscious fantasy while awake
- reverieAbstracted, pleasant daydream
- fantasyImaginative mental wandering
- imaginationFaculty for forming ideas
musing · whimsical · fanciful · escapism · wistful · starry-eyed · head-in-clouds · woolgathering · fancying · dreamer
pining
Aching with prolonged desire
wistfulness · aching · desire · languishing · sighing · miss · fondness · heartache · sentimentality · bittersweet
optimistic
Expecting positive results
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- expectationBelief about future outcomes
- desireIntense wanting
hoping · sanguine · rosy · bright · eager · positive · buoyant · faith · confidence · aspiration
- wishful thinkingif only, what if, one day, fingers crossed, with any luck
- idealisticidealist, idealistic, utopian, quixotic, dreamer
- guiltguilty, guilt trip, guilty conscience, remorseful, contrition
wishfuldisinclined
Averse to acting
uneager · unambitious · resigned · indifferent · ambitionless
wishfulpessimistic
Expecting negative outcomes
cynical · fatalistic · defeatist · despairing · gloomy
- wishful thinkingBelief shaped by desire
- wishful thinkersPeople who believe improbable hopes
- wishful thoughtsDesired but unlikely imaginings