1
as in dream
a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality
the magician specializes in creating illusions, so that people believe they have seen something when they really haven't
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delusion
a false idea or belief
he had no illusions about how much effort and money the renovation project would require
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illusion
Other segments included card magic, floating illusions, and comedic skits, in which humanoids displayed improved timing, expressive behavior, and coordinated role interactions.
—
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
Staying emotionally up to date Waking up next to the same person every day can create the illusion of deep familiarity.
—Mark Travers, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026
But that certainty is often an illusion, Olga Khazan writes.
—Rafaela Jinich, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
On the bottom, the mother of two wore fluid, wide-leg trousers that billowed with each step, creating the illusion of a midi skirt.
—Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illusion
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
Staying emotionally up to date Waking up next to the same person every day can create the illusion of deep familiarity.
—Mark Travers, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026
But that certainty is often an illusion, Olga Khazan writes.
—Rafaela Jinich, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
On the bottom, the mother of two wore fluid, wide-leg trousers that billowed with each step, creating the illusion of a midi skirt.
—Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusion
Noun
-
Being cheated on or in an abusive relationship can leave a deep imprint on one’s psyche and lead to an ex appearing in dreams.—
Lisa Wong Macabasco,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2026
-
What initially appears to be a Marxist dream state soon reveals itself as a system maintained through algorithmic control and absolute surveillance.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Mitchell, who had religious delusions, had previously worked as a roofer on the family’s house.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Troublingly, there are unfolding layers of delusion too.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And now masked Proud Boys can cosplay their paramilitary fantasies, shatter our Constitutional rights, and disappear humans while the federal government flippantly threatens its citizens with the Insurrection Act and Aliens Enemies Act.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
-
While the invading Martians and their tall, terrifying, laser-toting tripods are undeniably fantasy, the fact that they were undone by Earth’s disease-causing microbes is not.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Like any good cocktail, the margarita comes with a twist of myth.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Yaga is based on the play by Kat Sandler, who serves as the show’s writer and showrunner, and is a contemporary reimagining of the myth of Baba Yaga set in a coastal town.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But his vision for the board to be a mediator of worldwide conflicts has led to skepticism from major allies.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
-
His vision was rooted in hope, healing and the belief that young adult cancer fighters deserve moments of freedom, strength and joy, said Kelly Schwartz, the center’s operations manager.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The man is facing a charge of grossly negligent homicide, with state prosecutors in Innsbruck accusing him of making multiple errors, including seeking help too late and not carrying suitable equipment.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The poll found that Cornyn, Hunt and Paxton all have a lead over Crockett and Talarico in a hypothetical November matchup, but that their leads are within the poll’s margin of error.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Shortly after, the book began to take shape, with new elements often arriving in vivid daydreams and eerie nightmares.—
Charlie Vargas,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
-
And like the iconic Orient-Express (whose original route has been revived by Belmond's Venice Simplon-Orient-Express), the Champagne flutes, suited servers, and glossy design of this locomotive hold a seductive potential for daydreams and drama.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Contributing to this air of unreality is Kari Kankaanpää’s production design, in which everything feels a little heightened and stylized.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
To hear about a mass shooting in another city is to feel one is at the periphery of ongoing history; but perversely, to live near the site of a shooting is to feel nothing has changed except that unreality has come closer.—
Karan Mahajan,
New Yorker,
15 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusion. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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