1
as in illusions
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in myths
a false idea or belief
he appears to suffer from the delusion that he's the best reporter in the business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 delusions
By the novel’s end, the mark of his satire broadens even further, beyond American culture to the persistent delusions of human consciousness itself.
—
Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
There’s something disturbing about watching these already commonplace delusions about ChatGPT — Your particular version has a soul!
—Vulture, 17 May 2026
Much the same could be said of Amalia’s esoteric delusions.
—Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
Concerns have grown over the potential for AI chatbots to fuel delusions in people, especially those who are already vulnerable to mental health problems.
—Laura Jarrett, NBC news, 10 May 2026
Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health condition that is marked by a mix of schizophrenia symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, and mood disorder symptoms, such as depression, mania and a milder form of mania called hypomania, per the Mayo Clinic.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
As awareness of the issue of AI delusions increases, safer models are helping establish a new baseline for the industry.
—IEEE Spectrum, 6 May 2026
Bukele shook off his delusions of being the emperor of social media and abandoned his bullying tactics in the face of the biggest bully.
—Óscar Martínez, The Dial, 30 Apr. 2026
Most of the suits allege that extensive use of the technology has inflicted a range of harms on children and adults alike, fostering delusions and despair for some and leading others to death by suicide and even murder-suicide.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026
Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
There’s something disturbing about watching these already commonplace delusions about ChatGPT — Your particular version has a soul!
—Vulture, 17 May 2026
Much the same could be said of Amalia’s esoteric delusions.
—Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
Concerns have grown over the potential for AI chatbots to fuel delusions in people, especially those who are already vulnerable to mental health problems.
—Laura Jarrett, NBC news, 10 May 2026
Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health condition that is marked by a mix of schizophrenia symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, and mood disorder symptoms, such as depression, mania and a milder form of mania called hypomania, per the Mayo Clinic.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
As awareness of the issue of AI delusions increases, safer models are helping establish a new baseline for the industry.
—IEEE Spectrum, 6 May 2026
Bukele shook off his delusions of being the emperor of social media and abandoned his bullying tactics in the face of the biggest bully.
—Óscar Martínez, The Dial, 30 Apr. 2026
Most of the suits allege that extensive use of the technology has inflicted a range of harms on children and adults alike, fostering delusions and despair for some and leading others to death by suicide and even murder-suicide.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delusions
Noun
-
There is that moment where the illusions crumble, where the masks fall away and what follows is disappointment.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
-
And while an optimistic sort, El Tipo Este harbors few illusions.—
Bill Kopp,
SPIN,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Barker combines the monkey’s paw and Pygmalion myths in this story of a young man who wishes that his dream girl would fall in love with him.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2026
-
They were not asked about Hutson’s defence, not asked to dispel any myths about Hutson, not led in that direction in any way.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
Hong Kong — For the past three decades, China has been a nation of homeowners — supercharging the world’s second-largest economy and fulfilling the dreams of millions.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
-
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Down a run and facing elimination in the final inning, Troup rallied with seven hits, two walks and two Pickens errors to win 8-1 in Game 2 of the Class 3A baseball series at Synovus Park in Columbus.—
Todd Holcomb,
AJC.com,
24 May 2026
-
Senior starting pitcher Carson Roden struggled a little with two hit-batsmen, three hits and a walk in the first inning, and the defense behind her had two errors.—
Steve Gorches,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
While Goodman’s paradoxes and fantasies posed challenges to me as her biographer, with the advent of AI slop and ChatGPT, our courtship with illusion (and possibly delusion) is here to stay.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
-
Known for its signature vibrant psychedelic prints, the designs are summer personified, enticing fans with fantasies of wearing them by the pool, Aperol spritz in hand.—
Diana Tsui,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
In fact, the Mango Collective initiative was created precisely for this purpose, as a platform to celebrate the creativity and innovation of ascending and independent designers, connecting their singular visions with Mango’s design expertise and international reach.—
Sharon Edelson,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
With many issues in the contest between incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, Councilmember Nithya Raman and reality TV vet Spencer Pratt impacting the entertainment industry, Deadline talks with the contenders to hear their visions for the city.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Nina, Karen and Caroline started appearing in my daydreams, full of vigor and life lessons.—
Jennifer Acker,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
-
Some stories plant deep in your creative brain and come out through songs heard on the radio and random daydreams in the shower.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Delusions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delusions. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
