1
as in dreams
a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality
the magician specializes in creating illusions, so that people believe they have seen something when they really haven't
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delusions
a false idea or belief
he had no illusions about how much effort and money the renovation project would require
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of illusions
But then, over the course of several viewings, new recognitions dawned—on the social contract, illusions of class, and the artist’s deft use of color in this gorgeous study of red, white, and blue.
—
Laura Brown, Artforum, 25 Mar. 2026
Even the most die-hard anti-American cleric in the Iranian political system did not harbor illusions that Iran could defeat the United States in conventional ways.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Only hours into the conflict, an errant strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in southern Iran served as a gut-wrenching reminder of the cost of such illusions, and a testament to the grim truth that those who pay most dearly for the fog of war are almost always the innocent.
—Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Miuccia Prada, herself a billionaire, has no illusions that the runway is a space for political grandstanding.
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
So illusions can come at a heavy price and the harshest price, the greatest risk is borne by the people in the streets in Iran.
—Richard Hall, Time, 3 Mar. 2026
The collection spanned knitted jeans and jackets, multi-pocketed constructions and quilting—techniques intended to give denim new illusions.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
And there are obviously illusions to real-life characters in her.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 3 Mar. 2026
But such a moment can attract dangerous illusions.
—Jalil Pakray, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
Laura Brown, Artforum, 25 Mar. 2026
Even the most die-hard anti-American cleric in the Iranian political system did not harbor illusions that Iran could defeat the United States in conventional ways.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Only hours into the conflict, an errant strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in southern Iran served as a gut-wrenching reminder of the cost of such illusions, and a testament to the grim truth that those who pay most dearly for the fog of war are almost always the innocent.
—Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Miuccia Prada, herself a billionaire, has no illusions that the runway is a space for political grandstanding.
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
So illusions can come at a heavy price and the harshest price, the greatest risk is borne by the people in the streets in Iran.
—Richard Hall, Time, 3 Mar. 2026
The collection spanned knitted jeans and jackets, multi-pocketed constructions and quilting—techniques intended to give denim new illusions.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
And there are obviously illusions to real-life characters in her.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 3 Mar. 2026
But such a moment can attract dangerous illusions.
—Jalil Pakray, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusions
Noun
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Still, India is pushing its aviation dreams, with Modi leading the charge.—
Aishwarya S Iyer,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2026
-
And many of these companies’ AI dreams are tied up in OpenAI, which just exited a massive deal with Disney to try to secure its place in Hollywood.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Several reports find psychosis among those who are addicted and could result in hallucinations, delusions and confusion.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
26 Mar. 2026
-
OpenAI is battling more than a dozen different death and harm suits, including one centered on a tragic murder-suicide allegedly spurred by ChatGPT reinforcing an unstable man’s paranoid delusions.—
Maggie Harrison Dupré,
Futurism,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Deep down, the different approaches flow from contrasting visions of human nature.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
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Disturbing visions and a shocking disappearance forces him to confront dark corners of his past.—
William Earl,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Just like ancient legends and myths, names have power.—
JD Barker,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
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One of those myths—that lifting heavy weights will make women bulky—has persisted for decades.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Less dangerous but more common are fantasies and hallucinations, which Laye believes result from general fatigue.—
Brad Stulberg,
Outside,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Mamdani’s housing agenda, so far, is built on a foundation of headlines, slogans and fiscal fantasies.—
Ann Korchak,
New York Daily News,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Fulton County officials have forcefully pushed back, arguing the issues cited reflect routine administrative errors rather than evidence of fraud.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
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But his 16 errors last season were tied for seventh most in the major leagues (second among third basemen), and many came on routine plays.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
More than masturbatory daydreams, Vladimir inspires our heroine to write with abandon, ignoring professional and personal obligations in service to her muse.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
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Below, some of the finest, high-quality ruffled bedding around the web for creating the frothy bedscape of your daydreams.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illusions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusions. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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