optical illusion

noun

Definition of optical illusionnext
as in illusion
an image that tricks a person's vision Some may dismiss what we witnessed that night as an optical illusion, but we firmly believe it was a UFO.

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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 optical illusion Embraced by a number of celebrities since its debut, the silhouette might present a bit of an optical illusion upon first glance, appearing as if two sides of the pump are disconnected in the front. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 31 July 2026 Drawing inspiration from Superliminal, Sol blends optical illusions with an uncanny, dreamlike atmosphere that turns a familiar experience into an inventive mystery. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 23 July 2026 An optical illusion solved the fireplace’s off-center placement. — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Shinnecock’s fairways create optical illusions off the tee, the bunkering is treacherous and the greens are, in some places, designed to repel the ball from the putting surfaces. — Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optical illusion
  1. illusion
  2. pipe dream
  3. apparition
  4. chimera
Noun
  • Published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior, 95 people—Millennial and Gen Z men and women, all of whom had a history of using Instagram for an average of eight years—underwent a virtual reality experience called body illusions.
    — Nicole Karlis, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The irony, of course, is that this very haphazardness is orchestrated by Dante, who is putting all the references together with intention — the intention of creating the illusion of no intention, of chaos.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of illusion
Noun
  • Arendt then cited Wilhelm Marr’s Sieg des Judentums über das Germanentum (The Victory of Judaism over Teutonism, 1869), thus lining up all the antisemitic pipe dreams that came close to fulfillment.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
  • When brand new entry-level telescopes start at a few hundred dollars, the idea of getting anything decent for pocket change sounds like a pipe dream.
    — Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of pipe dream
Noun
  • That is, until miraculous apparitions turn it into a place to be.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • The music starts to shift beginning with the third episode, when Lestat becomes overwhelmed by the apparition of his abusive maker and other ghosts, including Claudia, whose killing he’d been forced to witness firsthand.
    — Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
Definition of apparition
Noun
  • Additional cast members include Lorenzo James Henrie (Fear the Walking Dead), Lorenzo Richelmy (Netflix's Marco Polo), Vincenzo Nemolato (La chimera), and Rupert Everett (My Best Friend's Wedding).
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 26 May 2026
  • Workers will continue with smaller tasks around the facade, including the installation of chimeras that sit on the roofline, but the heavy lifting has been completed, Walter said.
    — Dylan Lovan, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of chimera

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optical
optical illusion
optical illusions
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Cite this Entry

“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optical%20illusion. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on optical illusion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about optical illusion

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