1
as in illusion
a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality
her idea that her new man is a long lost prince is surely just a delusion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in myth
a false idea or belief
he appears to suffer from the delusion that he's the best reporter in the business
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of delusion
See Pamela Anderson’s acclaimed and sincere turn in Gia Coppola’s The Last Showgirl as a working-class performer at a Las Vegas revue, cocooned by her own delusions of grandeur.
—
Mayukh Sen, The Atlantic, 9 July 2025
These are not mere trinkets; these are investments, or perhaps, depending on one's perspective, delusions.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 3 July 2025
In certain contexts, that unrestrained flattery might lead to psychological distress: In recent months, there have been growing reports of individuals experiencing AI psychosis, in which extensive conversations with chatbots may have amplified delusions.
—Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2025
That's a chronic mental health condition where a person experiences symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations or delusions, and mood disorders like depression.
—Steve Drummond, NPR, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for delusion
Mayukh Sen, The Atlantic, 9 July 2025
These are not mere trinkets; these are investments, or perhaps, depending on one's perspective, delusions.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 3 July 2025
In certain contexts, that unrestrained flattery might lead to psychological distress: In recent months, there have been growing reports of individuals experiencing AI psychosis, in which extensive conversations with chatbots may have amplified delusions.
—Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2025
That's a chronic mental health condition where a person experiences symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations or delusions, and mood disorders like depression.
—Steve Drummond, NPR, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for delusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delusion
Noun
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Like the film that inspired it, the book circles intimacy, illusion, blondes and brunettes, the psychic architecture of Los Angeles.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Aug. 2025
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Leaders who cling to the illusion of long-term predictability will be outmaneuvered by those who treat strategy not as a map but as a compass.—
Rupesh Dabbir,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The idea that late night shows were once apolitical is a myth.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
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Could these events be a local myth beginning to come to life, or a curse?—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Lottery winners often have elaborate spending plans, but Joseph Greer is a blue collar type with a pretty achievable — and unique — dream.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Aug. 2025
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An original work set in the world of 1950s ping pong culture, the film tells the story of Marty Mauser (Chalamet), a young man with a dream no one respects, who goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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When applied across a $500 million capital investment in net new builds—where UPS systems might account for only a small portion—the effect is at less than 1%, effectively a rounding error in the overall budget.—
Ryan Mallory,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Christian Kuntz for making a bunch of errors at the hot corner.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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There are people dressed as recognizable characters from comic books, fantasy movies and TV shows and video games.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
16 Aug. 2025
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Of course, Jon Snow is actually a Targaryen and ends up in a romantic relationship with his aunt, Daenerys Targaryen, in the final seasons of HBO’s hit fantasy drama.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In the spirit world, 13 isn’t just a superstition, but a sign of powerful change.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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In an incisive observation of the way that an adult’s words can sometimes settle on a child with unusual weight, I-Jing absorbs this folk superstition without question, and begins to shoplift gaudy trinkets from surrounding market stalls, only ever using her evil left hand.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Your recurring daydream of spending unending hours splayed out on the beach should take place right here, on the beaches of Isla Verde, located on the edge of San Juan.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
26 July 2025
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After stealing a security guard’s gun (and his wife’s Lorazepam), the mentally unwell husband and father contemplates some violent solutions to his problem during a couple of vivid daydream sequences.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The underlying fundamental challenges created by the countries’ deep divisions over their economic ties, the potential for conflict over Taiwan and other hotspots, and their competing visions of the international order can only be papered over for so long.—
Scott Kennedy,
Time,
16 Aug. 2025
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But the film’s precise, funny characters and vivid, sweltering look would have meant nothing without Lee’s wise and ultimately sad vision of multicultural America as a place where good intentions and casual mistrust are as commonplace as the local pizzeria.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Delusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delusion. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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