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
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Recent Examples of pipe dream
What was once thought of as a pipe dream for hockey fans in South Florida is about to finally become reality.
—
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
Aikman, who won three Super Bowls with the franchise under Jones, would seemingly be an ideal candidate for Jones to eschew some or all of his GM duties off on, but there’s little evidence that’s ever been more than a pipe dream for Cowboys fans.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026
Music promoters, both craving the one-upmanship and genuine satisfaction of getting a lucrative band back on a stage, have more money at their disposal than ever before to make their pipe dreams a reality.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
Friends called it a pipe dream.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pipe dream
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
Aikman, who won three Super Bowls with the franchise under Jones, would seemingly be an ideal candidate for Jones to eschew some or all of his GM duties off on, but there’s little evidence that’s ever been more than a pipe dream for Cowboys fans.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026
Music promoters, both craving the one-upmanship and genuine satisfaction of getting a lucrative band back on a stage, have more money at their disposal than ever before to make their pipe dreams a reality.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
Friends called it a pipe dream.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pipe dream
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pipe dream
Noun
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Lindsey Vonn was the 13th skier to hit the slopes in the alpine ski women’s downhill at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics on Sunday and her dreams of powering through a devastating knee injury to make the medal podium came to a crashing halt.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
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Gary has had civic dreams before.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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As Nick and Jacki’s conversations deepen, the line between witness and participant blurs, forcing both to confront what justice demands, what belief requires, and the perilous distance between true freedom and the illusion of self-determination.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2026
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This work by Franco-Isreali artist Yorame Mevorach, also known as Oyoram, gives the illusion of swimming along the river’s edge.—
Kasia Dietz,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Shortly after, the book began to take shape, with new elements often arriving in vivid daydreams and eerie nightmares.—
Charlie Vargas,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
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And like the iconic Orient-Express (whose original route has been revived by Belmond's Venice Simplon-Orient-Express), the Champagne flutes, suited servers, and glossy design of this locomotive hold a seductive potential for daydreams and drama.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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With the help of Mariah Carey, the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony will be a sweet, sweet fantasy.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Feb. 2026
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Left for dead by most fantasy players, CMC was a man on a mission.—
Bill Reinhard,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This includes medications, risk of falling, mobility, vision and balance.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
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President Paul DePodesta and Byrnes have established a vision for success, adding multiple major league players and implementing philosophical changes in the minors.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pipe dream.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pipe%20dream. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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