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
Mike Kaye: Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter and Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter feel like pipe dreams at No. 8 at this stage in the draft process.
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Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 12 Feb. 2025
When it was established in 2004, American Prairie Reserve—a private, nonprofit effort to create the largest wildlife reserve in the continental U.S. at three million acres—seemed like nothing more than a pipe dream.
—Ryan Krogh, Outside Online, 24 Jan. 2025
But while there’s lottery dollars for the top earners, making a living off of writing for TV and films is, for many, a pipe dream.
—Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2025
Leadership development professionals face an uphill battle: coaching is expensive, training doesn’t always translate to behavior change, and establishing a culture of learning can feel like a pipe dream.
—Kevin Kruse, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pipe dream
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 12 Feb. 2025
When it was established in 2004, American Prairie Reserve—a private, nonprofit effort to create the largest wildlife reserve in the continental U.S. at three million acres—seemed like nothing more than a pipe dream.
—Ryan Krogh, Outside Online, 24 Jan. 2025
But while there’s lottery dollars for the top earners, making a living off of writing for TV and films is, for many, a pipe dream.
—Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2025
Leadership development professionals face an uphill battle: coaching is expensive, training doesn’t always translate to behavior change, and establishing a culture of learning can feel like a pipe dream.
—Kevin Kruse, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pipe dream
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pipe dream
Noun
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The sweetness of growing into a man whose dreams— like leaves or a bird’s nest— came to life.—
Henri Cole,
The New Yorker,
10 Mar. 2025
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Kirkman, a senior at Stanford, is juggling his dream of being a world champion boxer with earning his degree Kirkman, a senior at Stanford, is juggling his dream of being a world champion boxer with earning his degree.—
Nhat V. Meyer,
The Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The wide front porch gives the illusion that the open-plan living and kitchen area extends past the exterior walls, through the (optional) all-glass double doors to the great outdoors.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2025
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The actress added square-toe boots and wore her blonde hair in a slicked style. 12 of 18 Alessandra Ambrosio For the Balenciaga Paris Fashion Week show, Alessandra Ambrosio opted for a navy blue sweater paired with illusion lingerie on the bottom.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s new exhibition (March 25) takes a wary view of its own contents, which span half a millennium, arguing that the West acted out its daydreams of a docile Orient one cup-and-saucer at a time.—
Shauna Lyon,
The New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2025
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If Viner and Rickman's selections are representative, Corrie was a compelling diarist, writing a blend of idealism, daydream and detailed observation.—
Jim Higgins,
Journal Sentinel,
21 Sep. 2024
Noun
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The fantasy series, based on the novels by Robert Jordan, raises new stakes in its third season for Our Heroes.—
Leigh Butler,
TIME,
13 Mar. 2025
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Its packaging, a jewel-like blue bottle engraved with a golden lotus, looks like it was plucked from a fantasy apothecary in the night sky.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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His lack of physical presence was an issue for O’Neil but his game is even further removed from Pereira’s vision of an ideal centre-back, so a parting of the ways there in the summer also appears likely.—
Steve Madeley,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
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The arrival of the W124-generation E-Class — the first Mercedes to use that name — proved an ideal launchpad for their vision.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pipe dream.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pipe%20dream. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
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