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
Stepping out on Monday, January 26, the Babygirl actress stunned in a long-sleeve orange maxi dress covered in black and white textured dots that made for quite the optical illusion.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026
In fact, the landmark is an optical illusion, where a 20-foot depression in the rock creates the appearance of a sinkhole.
—Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
But aggregates are often optical illusions.
—Katica Roy, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Another celestial optical illusion that will delight sky-gazers is Jupiter’s disappearing act in the fall.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
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Emma Banks, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026
In fact, the landmark is an optical illusion, where a 20-foot depression in the rock creates the appearance of a sinkhole.
—Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
But aggregates are often optical illusions.
—Katica Roy, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Another celestial optical illusion that will delight sky-gazers is Jupiter’s disappearing act in the fall.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 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 7 Feb. 2026.
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