illusory

adjective

il·​lu·​so·​ry i-ˈlü-sə-rē  -ˈlü-zə- 

-ˈlüs-, 

-ˈlüz-

: based on or producing illusion : deceptive

illusory hopes

an illusory promise

illusorily

i-ˈlü-sə-rə-lē 

-ˈlü-zə-;

-ˈlüs-, 

-ˈlüz-

adverb

illusoriness

i-ˈlü-sə-rē-nəs 

-ˈlü-zə-;

-ˈlüs-, 

-ˈlüz-

noun

Choose the Right Synonym for illusory

apparent, illusory, seeming, ostensible mean not actually being what appearance indicates.

apparent suggests appearance to unaided senses that may or may not be borne out by more rigorous examination or greater knowledge.

the apparent cause of the accident

illusory implies a false impression based on deceptive resemblance or faulty observation, or influenced by emotions that prevent a clear view.

an illusory sense of security

seeming implies a character in the thing observed that gives it the appearance, sometimes through intent, of something else.

the seeming simplicity of the story

ostensible suggests a discrepancy between an openly declared or naturally implied aim or reason and the true one.

the ostensible reason for their visit

Examples of illusory in a Sentence

an illusory sense of security

Recent Examples on the Web

His prayerful recognition of God’s supremacy and government of the universe refreshed his heart and lifted his thought above the human fears and limitations that plague an illusory, material sense of existence. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026

For a while, these institutions appeared capable of operating without their founding cause, but that hope proved illusory. — Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026

The switch from celluloid to computer chips saw the movies transform from an illusory art form to a representative one, at the great and continued risk of forfeiting its original power. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026

Thus, if none of the three components of time exist, then there is nothing left, leaving the whole of time as illusory! — Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French illusoire, borrowed from Late Latin illūsōrius "mocking, derisive, deceptive," from Latin illūdere "to make fun of, fool, dupe" + -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix originally forming derivatives from agent nouns ending in -tōr-, -tor — more at illusion

First Known Use

circa 1631, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

illusory

adjective

il·​lu·​so·​ry il-ˈüs-(ə-)rē 

-ˈüz-

: based on or producing illusion : deceptive

an illusory hope

Medical Definition

illusory

adjective

il·​lu·​so·​ry il-ˈüs-(ə-)rē  -ˈüz- 

: based on or producing illusion : being deceptive

the search for the ultimate cure-all for a hangover has proved illusory

—M. L. Herndon

Legal Definition

illusory

adjective

il·​lu·​so·​ry i-ˈlü-sə-rē, -zə-rē 

: likely to mislead or deceive : false, deceptive

an illusory plea bargain leading to a longer sentence than expected