illusion

noun

i-ˈlü-zhən How to pronounce illusion (audio)
Definition of illusionnext
1
as in dream
a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality the magician specializes in creating illusions, so that people believe they have seen something when they really haven't

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delusion
a false idea or belief he had no illusions about how much effort and money the renovation project would require

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun illusion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of illusion are delusion, hallucination, and mirage. While all these words mean "something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal," illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines.

an illusion of safety

When is delusion a more appropriate choice than illusion?

While the synonyms delusion and illusion are close in meaning, delusion implies an inability to distinguish between what is real and what only seems to be real, often as the result of a disordered state of mind.

delusions of persecution

When could hallucination be used to replace illusion?

In some situations, the words hallucination and illusion are roughly equivalent. However, hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs.

suffered from terrifying hallucinations

When might mirage be a better fit than illusion?

The words mirage and illusion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mirage in its extended sense applies to an illusory vision, dream, hope, or aim.

claimed a balanced budget is a mirage

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of illusion In other words, if lip liner is about precision, lip contouring is about illusion. — Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026 As some of us will inevitably succumb to its grand and growing illusion, the rest may get the opportunity to find the key to understanding how so many others could be fooled and so foolish. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026 Neither side, however, is under any illusion about the nature of the enduring competition. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 The intricate lavender design featured a sheer overlay that revealed structured bustier-style paneling and a delicate slip underneath, creating the illusion of a classic naked dress without veering into eveningwear territory. — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusion
  1. dream
  2. delusion
  3. fantasy
  4. myth
  5. vision
  6. error
  7. daydream
  8. unreality
Noun
  • Fairview’s board thought hard before committing to such a costly venture, but had a dream, said Edie Kalin, president of the Odd Fellows Home of CT.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The trio’s minimalist approach to electronic pop music — which draws from dream pop, electro-rock and other styles — has aged impeccably over the years.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of dream
Noun
  • Partway through the season, Straczynski noticed O’Hare developing symptoms of psychosis, including paranoid delusions.
    — JP Mangalindan, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The 29-year-old Christian Faith Madison died after walking into traffic, with her family arguing that the OpenAI chatbot had fueled her religious delusions during their extensive interactions, pushing her over the edge by romanticizing death.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 23 July 2026
Definition of delusion
Noun
  • This is the same thing, only moms are living their I-wish-when-I-was-in-college fantasies through their daughters.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Rum has always been good at fantasy, conjuring sunshine in a bad bar, smuggling a little heat in the cold, and making the most sensible drinker briefly vulnerable to the pull of a paper umbrella.
    — Lela London, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of fantasy
Noun
  • Drawing on lessons from a successful telecom infrastructure acquisition, this article explores three common myths founders should reconsider when preparing their businesses for a potential exit.
    — Amit Jain, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The lunar program, for example, is named for the goddess Chang’e, described in a 4,000-year-old myth, who is celebrated each year at the Mid-Autumn Festival.
    — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of myth
Noun
  • For families While Hôtel Royal’s opulence certainly doesn’t lean into the traditional vision of a family-friendly hotel, their thoughtful amenities sure do.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The Skoll Foundation's vision is to live in a sustainable world of peace and prosperity for all.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of vision
Noun
  • However, a dangerous push to cut these crucial programs, especially in Africa, risks repeating past errors and ceding influence to competitors.
    — James K. Glassman, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong’s infield single tied the game, and another run scored on the play from a Royals throwing error.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of error
Noun
  • And amidst the momentum of reverie, there’s the line ‘Blink at the light and hope to survive,’ because daydreams in a fascist state can be scary too.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 June 2026
  • One-touch passing, feinting and ripping hard shots into a tattered net, each is super-charged by vivid daydreams of glory on the international stage.
    — Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2026
Definition of daydream
Noun
  • God is the infinite Mind that naturally causes each individual to know right from wrong, truth from untruth, and most importantly, reality from unreality.
    — Suzanne Riedel, Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2026
  • The passion for sports is a matter of its unrealities—its past is more myth than history.
    — Austin Elias-de Jesus, New Yorker, 3 June 2026
Definition of unreality

Phrases Containing illusion

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ill-using
illusion
illusionist
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Cite this Entry

“Illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusion. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on illusion

Nglish: Translation of illusion for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about illusion

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