Find Synonyms
wishful Synonyms
Another word for wishful
Choosing another word for wishful that fits your sentence is easier when synonyms and similar words are paired with an exact adjective definition and ranked by match strength.
• adjective (Context 1)
Having, expressing, or based on a desire or hope that something will happen, often without a realistic basis in fact.
Usage Example
"Expecting the complex software migration to finish without any bugs is probably just hopeful thinking."
Strongest
hopeful
Strong
optimistic
aspirational
desirous
yearning
longing
unrealistic
fanciful
Opposites of wishful
The opposite of wishful shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:
realistic
pragmatic
practical
pessimistic
cynical
hopeless
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Wishful. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/wishful