hallucination

hal·lu·ci·na·tion | \ hə-ˌlü-sə-ˈnā-shən

Definition of hallucination

1a : perception of objects with no reality usually arising from disorder of the nervous system or in response to drugs (such as LSD) was having hallucinations

b : the object so perceived wasn't sure if the rain was real or a hallucination

2 : an unfounded or mistaken impression or notion : delusion

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about hallucination

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Choose the Right Synonym for hallucination

delusion, illusion, hallucination, mirage mean something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal. 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 illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines. an illusion of safety hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs. suffered from terrifying hallucinations mirage in its extended sense applies to an illusory vision, dream, hope, or aim. claimed a balanced budget is a mirage

Examples of hallucination in a Sentence

He could not tell if what he was seeing was real or if it was a hallucination. He has been having hallucinations due to the medication.

Recent Examples on the Web Bailey was hearing voices and suffering from hallucinations. — USA Today, "A security empire deployed guards with violent pasts across the U.S. Some went on to rape, assault or kill," 31 Oct. 2019 These challenges can increase paranoia, delusion and create auditory or visual hallucinations, Wadkins said. — Savannah Eadens, The Courier-Journal, "Halloween can trigger folks with dementia. Here's how to keep them safe this season," 23 Oct. 2019 The Jets quarterback was harassed into hallucinations by a relentless Patriots defense — at one point, Darnold acknowledged seeing ghosts — as New England slapped a 33-0 loss on New York before a split crowd at MetLife Stadium Monday night. — BostonGlobe.com, "Patriots dominate Jets to remain perfect - The Boston Globe," 22 Oct. 2019 Sometimes, the body and brain get their wires crossed, and a person can experience a few seconds to a couple minutes of waking paralysis, which is often accompanied by hallucinations. — Andrea Michelson, Smithsonian, "Five Scientific Explanations for Spooky Sensations," 30 Oct. 2019 Merle never held a job, never made another friend, rarely left her bedroom and was deluged by hallucinations and delusions. — Kenneth Paul Rosenberg, chicagotribune.com, "Mental illness was my family’s secret — and America’s great shame," 2 Oct. 2019 The psychiatrist testified Haskell was suffering from a form of bipolar disorder, a brain condition that causes unusual shifts in mood, and from schizoaffective disorder, a condition characterized by hallucinations or delusions. — Fox News, "Texas man convicted of killing six members of ex-wife's family, including four children," 27 Sep. 2019 The psychiatrist testified Haskell was suffering from a form of bipolar disorder, a brain condition that causes unusual shifts in mood, and from schizoaffective disorder, a condition characterized by hallucinations or delusions. — Juan Lozano, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Man convicted of killing 6 members of ex-wife’s Texas family," 26 Sep. 2019 For instance, during mood episodes, people with bipolar disorder can experience psychosis, or periods of hallucinations and/or delusions. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "What Mental Health Experts Want You to Know About Schizoaffective Disorder," 19 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hallucination.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

28 Nov 2019

Cite this Entry

“Hallucination.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hallucinations. Accessed 8 December 2019.

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More Definitions for hallucination

hallucination

noun

English Language Learners Definition of hallucination

: something (such as an image, a sound, or a smell) that seems real but does not really exist and that is usually caused by mental illness or the effect of a drug

See the full definition for hallucination in the English Language Learners Dictionary

hallucination

noun

hal·lu·ci·na·tion | \ hə-ˌlü-sə-ˈnā-shən

Kids Definition of hallucination

: the seeing of objects or the experiencing of feelings that are not real but are usually the result of mental disorder or the effect of a drug

hallucination

noun

hal·lu·ci·na·tion | \ hə-ˌlüs-ᵊn-ˈā-shən

Medical Definition of hallucination

1 : a perception of something (as a visual image or a sound) with no external cause usually arising from a disorder of the nervous system (as in delirium tremens or in functional psychosis without known neurological disease) or in response to drugs (as LSD) — compare delusion sense 2, illusion sense 2a

2 : the object of a hallucinatory perception

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