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

Blanche is also confronting growing distrust of the Justice Department among judges, who in multiple cases have accused government lawyers of withholding information or misleading courts.

— Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Both made misleading statements when questioned by authorities, according to the lawsuit.

— Chase Jordan August 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of misleading

Adjective

Meta will be subject to an injunction prohibiting it from making further false, misleading, or deceptive statements around its safety features.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
The agency has said deceptive or unfair data practices can violate existing consumer protection laws.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of deceptive

Adjective

Another false dawn was Manchester City’s bright start in a 2-0 win over Chelsea, without the man who had just been named player of the tournament at Euro 2024, Rodri.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
In turn, Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios filed a defamation suit, which claimed Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, had planted false claims in order to take over creative control of the film.

— Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 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 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of delusory

adjective

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