optical illusion
noun
plural optical illusions
: a misleading image presented to the vision
Zebras look like optical illusions to me. Which are they—black with white stripes or white with black stripes?—
Al Robinson
Al RobinsonThe sun, moon, and planets circle above the terrestrial plane in the region of the equator. Their apparent rising and setting is an optical illusion caused by atmospheric refraction …—Ranger Rick
Ranger RickExamples of optical illusion in a Sentence
The closer building looks larger than the farther one, but it's just an optical illusion. The two buildings are actually the same size.
Recent Examples on the Web
This pair, on the other hand, is lined with a thick layer of hidden fleece inside — a toasty warm optical illusion.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
Crew members rushed about, tending to the set’s various optical illusions, which included an Escher-like maze of stairwells, some real, some painted on a matte board, and two performers, playing Chinese folk music, who on closer inspection turned out to be a pair of paper cutouts.
—Dennis Zhou, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
To expand the collection, LaundRE invited designers and influencers to create exclusive laser designs, which run the gamut from animal spots, snakeskin, paisley and camouflage to more abstract prints and optical illusion designs.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 25 Nov. 2025
The resulting look gives a near-optical illusion effect and will also serve a functional purpose for those seeking to add a few inches to their stature.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 23 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
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Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
Crew members rushed about, tending to the set’s various optical illusions, which included an Escher-like maze of stairwells, some real, some painted on a matte board, and two performers, playing Chinese folk music, who on closer inspection turned out to be a pair of paper cutouts.
—Dennis Zhou, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
To expand the collection, LaundRE invited designers and influencers to create exclusive laser designs, which run the gamut from animal spots, snakeskin, paisley and camouflage to more abstract prints and optical illusion designs.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 25 Nov. 2025
The resulting look gives a near-optical illusion effect and will also serve a functional purpose for those seeking to add a few inches to their stature.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 23 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Cite this Entry
“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical%20illusion. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.
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