wishful
adj.adj. describing a hope for something that is not likely to happen. You use it when someone believes something because they want it to be true, not because it is realistic.
adj. characterised by a desire for something that is improbable or impossible. Often used to describe thoughts or beliefs based on hope rather than evidence.
Thinking I will win the lottery is just wishful thinking.
The manager's plan to double sales in one month was dismissed as wishful thinking by the experienced staff.
Despite the harsh economic data, the investors maintained a wishful outlook, hoping for a sudden market correction that would save their failing portfolios.
From wish + -ful.
Commonly appears in the fixed collocation 'wishful thinking', where it functions as a modifier for the noun.