Looking for synonyms for pipe dream? We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of other ways to say pipe dream.
- Fantasy
- Daydream
- Unrealistic goal
- Illusion
- Fanciful notion
- Chimera
- Wishful thinking
- Castle in the air
- Flight of fancy
- Wild goose chase
- Mirage
- Fool’s paradise
- Unattainable dream
- Impractical idea
- Delusion
Want to learn how to say pipe dream professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.
1. Fantasy
“Fantasy” is used to describe an idea that is highly imaginative and unlikely to be realized.
Example: “Achieving such high sales figures in our first year might be a fantasy, but we can still aim for solid growth.”
2. Daydream
“Daydream” refers to a pleasant scenario imagined during wakefulness that is not likely to happen.
Example: “While a completely autonomous workforce is a daydream at this stage, we are making strides in AI technology.”
3. Unrealistic Goal
“Unrealistic goal” implies a target or objective that is not feasible or practical.
Example: “Doubling our market share within a month is an unrealistic goal given the current economic climate.”
4. Illusion
“Illusion” is used for a false impression or deceptive appearance of reality.
Example: “Relying solely on social media advertising to reach older demographics may be an illusion.”
5. Fanciful Notion
“Fanciful notion” describes an imaginative idea that lacks basis in reality or practicality.
Example: “The idea of replacing all our human resources with AI is a fanciful notion at this point.”
6. Chimera
“Chimera” refers to a hope or dream that is extremely improbable or impossible to achieve.
Example: “A completely risk-free investment is a chimera in the business world.”
7. Wishful Thinking
“Wishful thinking” implies basing decisions or expectations on what one wishes rather than on reality or practicality.
Example: “Believing the project can be completed without additional funding at this stage is wishful thinking.”
8. Castle in the Air
“Castle in the air” describes a fantastical idea or plan that is unlikely to ever come to fruition.
Example: “The concept of a four-day workweek without productivity loss is still a castle in the air for most industries.”
9. Flight of Fancy
“Flight of fancy” is a phrase used for an idea that is fanciful and has little grounding in reality.
Example: “Completely eliminating paper from our processes in the near future is a flight of fancy.”
10. Wild Goose Chase
“Wild goose chase” implies a futile pursuit or search for something unattainable.
Example: “Trying to find a perfect solution in this situation is like a wild goose chase.”
11. Mirage
“Mirage” is used for an illusionary goal or desire that is unattainable or non-existent.
Example: “The idea of the perfect candidate for this role might just be a mirage.”
12. Fool’s Paradise
“Fool’s paradise” describes a state of happiness based on false hopes or illusions.
Example: “Thinking the competition won’t react to our new product launch is living in a fool’s paradise.”
13. Unattainable Dream
“Unattainable dream” refers to a dream or aspiration that cannot be achieved or is very unlikely.
Example: “A zero-failure rate in manufacturing is an unattainable dream, but we can still aim for minimal defects.”
14. Impractical Idea
“Impractical idea” implies a concept or plan that is not sensible or realistic to implement.
Example: “A total shift to renewable energy sources within a year is an impractical idea for our current infrastructure.”
15. Delusion
“Delusion” is used for a belief or impression that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by reality or rational argument.
Example: “Believing we can dominate the market without any substantial investment is a delusion.”
