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 Eating mushrooms that contain psilocybin can have various effects, ranging from euphoria to hallucinations, according to the agency. Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025 Cold, calculating, honey-tongued and libido-free, with only the occasional lie or hallucination. Ian Chaffee, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025 Severe disease, however, often presents within two weeks of illness, causing confusion, agitation and hallucinations, the above source states. Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025 At the higher doses, most people had brief hallucinations or visual distortions, along with some nausea and headaches. Dr. Christian S. Monsalve, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hallucination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hallucination
Noun
  • Of course, such high-tech innovations, providing the illusion of a social environment, have both pluses and minuses.
    Alan Lightman September 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Shatter your illusions of love?
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The music business, theater, Hollywood — these are obvious places to find folks who live in constant delusion, not to mention places Guest was already well familiar with.
    Anne Victoria Clark, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Notably, Illinois banned AI therapy after research found chatbot therapists fuel delusions, and California is close to becoming the first state to restrict companion bots to protect kids.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The dream drive package includes private transfer to The Barn, Napa Valley Car Club's exclusive clubhouse, post-drive drinks and stories and return transfer.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • That dream never manifested, and eventually, the republican government’s international legitimacy was transferred to the surging mainland.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The Cortège Out on the cricket fields at The Los Angeles Equestrian Center, an experiential open-air event is bringing together dance, sound, light, puppetry, costume, myth, and robotic canines.
    David Hochman, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The myth of Chinese tunnels has circulated for more than a century.
    Beth Lew-Williams, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Designers leaned into loose, chemise-style dresses that evoked a European countryside sensibility (cue the daydream of wandering through a field of lilacs).
    Jalil Johnson, Refinery29, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Ellen retreats to her room and daydreams of her father, who understood his headstrong daughter.
    Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • An aircraft flying without GPS can accumulate miles of error in just hours.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
  • FanDuel acknowledged the error in the way the game score was displayed and pinned it on a third-party provider.
    Contessa Brewer,Alex Sherman, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • These are not fantasies drummed up by the Left despite claims from Paxton and his most ardent supporters.
    Kimberly Ross, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Cavill's film is a new version of the 1986 action-fantasy about an immortal Scottish swordsman's battle against another immortal warrior that starred Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But Lerner is clear that the vision goes beyond one platform.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Of course, this vision also pushes technology to adapt in ways that could benefit life on Earth.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hallucination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hallucination. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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