Synonym Chooser

How does the noun illusion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of illusion are delusion, hallucination, and mirage. While all these words mean "something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal," illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines.

an illusion of safety

When is delusion a more appropriate choice than illusion?

While the synonyms delusion and illusion are close in meaning, 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 could hallucination be used to replace illusion?

In some situations, the words hallucination and illusion are roughly equivalent. However, hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs.

suffered from terrifying hallucinations

When might mirage be a better fit than illusion?

The words mirage and illusion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 illusion After September’s eclipse season brought a sudden transformation, we’re left standing in a new landscape — stripped of illusions, but holding unexpected treasures. Tatianna Tarot, Refinery29, 14 Oct. 2025 The Osefos are far from the first couple who were or are suspected of living above their means, returning items, and engaging in other minor white collar scams to maintain the illusion of wealth. Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025 The duo pushes the concept of illusion versus reality to the extreme, personally and professionally, until tragedy reframes and opens a mystery surrounding their last fateful Las Vegas show. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025 While magicians use illusions to make objects float, physicists pursue levitation for its practical advantages. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusion
Noun
  • Working with Jessica [Yu, director] is a dream.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Saft’s decorating dreams began early.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Antipsychotic medications can reduce hallucinations and delusions, while therapies and rehabilitations can address specific concerns, like teaching cognitive techniques or enhancing social skills to interact with others.
    Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
  • It is associated with hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impair daily functioning and can be disabling.
    Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • And Eggar sang and danced alongside Rex Harrison in Doctor Dolittle (1967), the musical fantasy about a guy who can talk to the animals.
    Chris Koseluk, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Good Fortune may be a comedy with a fantasy twist, but its watches give it weight and texture.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Arizona is home to numerous local legends, myths, and supernatural tales.
    Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The series explores Bollywood myths and realities in a very insider way.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In pieces on patriotism as a kind of madness, on the long history of Polish and Russian colonizations and cultural appropriations of Ukraine, on the ways communities fantasize and share their daydreams, and others, Janion creates wormholes between past and present.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The series can feel like a collective daydream.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • There aren’t any obvious errors that can be laid at Darlow’s door over the past four matches.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Sponsors assume no responsibility for any error, omissions, interruption, deletion, defect or delay in operation with transmission, communications, line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or allegation of submissions.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The documentary will trace Suzuki’s singular vision through rare archival material, interviews with Suzuki himself, his regular leading man Joe Shishido, and longtime production designer Takeo Kimura, alongside contemporary directors inspired by his work.
    Lise Pedersen, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
  • This season, fluorescent pink, blue and white formed a rational yet romantic palette — a vision of a young schoolgirl poised to step into the real world.
    Denni Hu, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The cringing mortifications and unsettling unreality make the series a tough sit.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Longtime Vogue readers can likely recognize Steven Klein’s photographs at a glance, what with their glaring colors, arresting compositions, and beguiling sense of unreality.
    Vogue, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusion. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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