DELUSORY Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

delusory

adjective

di-ˈlü-sə-rē

Definition of delusory

as in misleading

tending or having power to deceive the delusory notion that wealth invariably brings happiness

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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 delusory That is delusory of course, but it can be fashioned into a victory claim that might well be readily embraced by war-weary and war-wary Russians in the public and among the elite. — John Mueller, Foreign Affairs, 29 Nov. 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for delusory

Adjective

The final answer may cite real sources and still be misleading.

— Patrick Dajos, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Providing false or misleading information to law enforcement undermines those efforts and unnecessarily diverts officers and resources away from members of our community who may need immediate police assistance.

— Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of misleading

Adjective

That’s why Meta has agreed to pay up to eighteen billion dollars as part of a settlement over predatory and deceptive practices, and why Anthropic is paying writers and publishers (admittedly, pennies) in a copyright settlement.

— Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
Some states have enacted laws requiring disclosures or restricting deceptive political deepfakes near elections.

— Reed Williams, AJC.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of deceptive

Adjective

In the wake of the 2020 election, false accusations led to death threats and upended the lives of two Fulton County election workers.

— Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Election law generally requires registration in every state except North Dakota, while federal law prohibits false registration and other forms of election fraud.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of false

Adjective

This isn’t callousness or delusive optimism but, rather, a rebellion against the suffocating expectation that the elderly have foreclosed the possibility of joy.

— Hillary Kelly, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2024
To separate art from its historical framework is futile, and to reject it in an effort to censor past violence is a delusive act of virtue signaling.

— WSJ, WSJ, 5 July 2022

Definition of delusive

Browse Nearby Words

delusive

delusory

deluxe

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“Delusory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delusory. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of delusory

adjective

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