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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Cite this Entry
“Illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusion. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share