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 But the movie’s big message is that that’s a reassuring illusion. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025 From pots, set into the waists, tendrils and leaves stretched up, while climbing ropes, woven through the belt loops and mounted on a wooden wall display, offered the illusion of a rappelling plant person. Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025 But that can be a dangerous illusion. Tim Maurer, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025 Eclipses bring truth to the surface, so don’t cling to illusions. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 31 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusion
Noun
  • Everyone who shows up to his office tries to make one of his dreams come true.
    Debbie Day, EW.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • This was the cleanest operation the Browns displayed since late in the 2023 season when Joe Flacco’s fever dream carried the Browns to the playoffs.
    Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For an in-depth look at AI psychosis and especially the co-creation of delusions via human-AI collaboration, see my recent analysis at the link here.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • If someone is already at risk of paranoia or delusions, AI may validate their thoughts in a way that intensifies their beliefs.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Welcome to my annual fantasy hockey dynasty rankings at The Athletic.
    Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Lamb’s seven catches for 110 yards look good, and will appease some fantasy football owners.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Getting Started With Beginning Meditation Steps Plenty of obstacles and myths abound that can keep you from taking the first step to meditate.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Inadequate medical advice can lead to injury, burnout or premature retirement from sports, and the persistent myth that pregnancy is an athletic liability can discourage sponsorships and media coverage.
    Starre Vartan, CNN Money, 5 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
  • Due to an editing error, a prior version of this report misstated what match Djokovic is playing Friday.
    Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Sabalenka ended the match with 43 winners compared to 27 errors; Pegula was 21 for 15.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • To bring this vision to life, Everton turned to Populous, the sports and entertainment design firm whose extensive back catalogue includes the likes of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Wembley and The Sphere in Las Vegas.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Working with Brian Rose, who spent the last five years trying to recreate the film with charcoal drawings, physical models of the sets, and researching storyboards and screenplay drafts, Showrunner will spend next two years to get as close as possible to Welles’ vision.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In rare cases, sleepers gain insight into the unreality of their dreams from within the dream itself.
    Rachel Barr, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
  • For Leader, this hammers home the unreality of a studio without an intense marketing machine around it.
    Ryan Gaur, IndieWire, 10 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusion. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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