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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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 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

These limitations could easily produce an analysis that is misleading or inaccurate.

— Euan Ashley, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
As Congress debated the legislation in May 2025, the White House put out a news release with the misleading claim that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would remove Medicaid coverage for people who are in the country without authorization.

— Phil Galewitz, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of misleading

Adjective

About 7 in 10 ads carried no AI disclosure, although the count includes uses beyond deceptive impersonations and does not establish how many ads violated a law or misled voters.

— Stefani Langehennig, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
Shrinkflation is particularly confusing, perhaps even deceptive, since sticker prices may remain the same even as the amount of product inside the package quietly falls.

— Sheldon H. Jacobson, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of deceptive

Adjective

Frankel also faces investment adviser fraud and false-statement counts over SEC filings that allegedly concealed his conviction and a Finra suspension.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Klobuchar noted the similarities in Atlanta’s and Iowa’s team names and accused Schmitt of relying on false information to suggest Smith had secretly traveled to Atlanta.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 30 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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Style

“Delusory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delusory. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of delusory

adjective

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