Synonym Chooser

How does the noun hallucination contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hallucination are delusion, illusion, and mirage. While all these words mean "something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal," hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs.

suffered from terrifying hallucinations

When is it sensible to use delusion instead of hallucination?

The words delusion and hallucination are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, delusion implies an inability to distinguish between what is real and what only seems to be real, often as the result of a disordered state of mind.

delusions of persecution

When can illusion be used instead of hallucination?

Although the words illusion and hallucination have much in common, illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines.

an illusion of safety

When is mirage a more appropriate choice than hallucination?

While in some cases nearly identical to hallucination, mirage in its extended sense applies to an illusory vision, dream, hope, or aim.

claimed a balanced budget is a mirage

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 hallucination Your precious reason is all based on a hallucination. Abraham Josephine Riesman, Vulture, 28 July 2025 With only her Walkman radio playing baseball games to keep her company, the girl’s love of pitcher Tom Gordon begins to manifest in hallucinations that may save her life. Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025 Behind the scenes, the agent is trained to resist prompt injection attacks-malicious attempts to manipulate its behavior via web content-and OpenAI has layered multiple safeguards to prevent hallucinations, missteps, and misuse. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2025 Some patients can also develop non-motor symptoms, including constipation, hallucinations, depression, loss of smell and sleep problems, Abu-Hadid said. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for hallucination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hallucination
Noun
  • 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
  • Choose temporary discomfort over living in illusion.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • And a special shout-out goes to SNL’s Vanessa Bayer as the hilarious medium with impeccable timing and detailed delusion.
    Katie Grant, Parents, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Marroquin, who had been jailed on assault and battery charges, struggled with mental illness and persistent delusions that someone was going to hurt his mother.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Running the largest sports media company in the world is a dream job for Pitaro, a lifelong Yankees fan who named one of his dogs Jeter (as in Derek).
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The owners of more than 10 gas stations and varied commercial properties throughout Los Angeles subsequently set out to create a bespoke modern farmhouse-style spread that would serve as a dream home for their entire family, replete with lots of space for entertaining and making memories.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • But control is a myth, and safety isn’t the same as progress.
    Stephanie Dillon, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Could these events be a local myth beginning to come to life, or a curse?
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
  • One 2025 study indicated that facial recognition tools had higher error rates for adults with Down syndrome.
    Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Editor’s Note: Please be mindful that this transcript does not go through our standard editorial process and may contain inaccuracies and grammatical errors.
    Sid Evans, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Hallucination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hallucination. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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