Synonym Chooser

How does the noun delusion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of delusion are hallucination, illusion, and mirage. While all these words 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

When can hallucination be used instead of delusion?

While in some cases nearly identical to delusion, hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs.

suffered from terrifying hallucinations

Where would illusion be a reasonable alternative to delusion?

The synonyms illusion and delusion are sometimes interchangeable, but illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines.

an illusion of safety

When is it sensible to use mirage instead of delusion?

The words mirage and delusion can be used in similar contexts, but mirage in its extended sense applies to an illusory vision, dream, hope, or aim.

claimed a balanced budget is a mirage

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of delusion This disorder is one of delusion, which makes the person believe someone—often a celebrity, or someone unattainable—is in love with them. Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 24 Apr. 2025 Joe Spencer, one of Crusius’ attorneys, said Crusius has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, which can be marked by hallucinations, delusions and mood swings, and has suffered from debilitating mental illness for most of his life. Morgan Lee and Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025 Crucially, these people are all masters of illusion, whereas the others are haunted by delusion. Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2025 Joe Spencer, one of Crusius' attorneys, said Crusius has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, which can be marked by hallucinations, delusions and mood swings, and has suffered from debilitating mental illness for most of his life. CBS News, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for delusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delusion
Noun
  • Agencies encourage the illusion of such bonds while controlling nearly every aspect of the idols’ real lives.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
  • The show uses dual-reality technology, a technique derived from the world of mentalism, to support the illusion of real-time interaction with a pre-recorded program.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Set in a ghostly Himalayan town, the movie is billed as an exploration of myth, memory, and places left behind.
    Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 16 May 2025
  • Note to Leaders: Put a moratorium on secrets, myths, and gossip.
    Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Career experts agree dream jobs and large salaries don't always come right away.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Below, Francis reflects back on his most memorable moments onstage and looks forward to his dream career.
    Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • Garcia, who denies gang membership, had an immigration court order protecting him from deportation, which the administration acknowledged was an administrative error.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • But turning on error correction restored some of the performance.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • One of this year’s most unique and original K-dramas is Heavenly Ever After, a quirky romantic fantasy from Studio Phoenix and SLL that vividly imagines life after death.
    Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • Wolfgang Petersen's poignant take on The NeverEnding Story might slightly lack the depth and sophistication of its source material — Michael Ende's expansive fantasy novel — but the result is still enchanting escapism, with effects and tricks that hold up pretty well.
    Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • The Fed must jettison its prosperity-causes-inflation superstition and commit, in plain English, to a stable dollar.
    Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
  • Whether driven by personal expression, cultural significance, superstition or legacy, most athletes have meaningful reasons for choosing their jersey numbers.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 7 May 2025
Noun
  • The vibe is at once sophisticated and irreverent—like an art collector’s home crossed with a Wes Anderson daydream.
    Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Winners Visualize and Act Mindset without action is just a daydream.
    Stephen Nalley, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Earlier this month, a mysterious store selling a vision of the future opened its doors in downtown San Francisco’s Union Square district.
    Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
  • The same goes for your visions of the future versus your current reality.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 12 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Delusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delusion. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on delusion

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