1
as in dreams
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 delusions
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
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Recent Examples of illusions
Pay attention to what feels heavy or emotionally one-sided right now, because this transit isn’t here to keep up with illusions.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026
There is that moment where the illusions crumble, where the masks fall away and what follows is disappointment.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
And while an optimistic sort, El Tipo Este harbors few illusions.
—Bill Kopp, SPIN, 13 May 2026
The United States, searching for self-definition but loath to lose its illusions—its innocence—needed all of this as a counterpoint.
—Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
But while those are decent accomplishments for this iteration of the Boston Bruins, there were no illusions inside the locker room or with the coach about where this team is right now.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 3 May 2026
The point was to conform language to lies, to narrow the range of thought, to obscure the truth, and, over time, to get people to believe in illusions.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
Archaeologists analyze the ancient painters’ creative use of the cave’s spatial definition to tell stories and create illusions of motion.
—Eric Kohn, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
In 2028, a 22-day fair is scheduled for June 7 to July 4 with a theme of magic and illusions.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026
There is that moment where the illusions crumble, where the masks fall away and what follows is disappointment.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
And while an optimistic sort, El Tipo Este harbors few illusions.
—Bill Kopp, SPIN, 13 May 2026
The United States, searching for self-definition but loath to lose its illusions—its innocence—needed all of this as a counterpoint.
—Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
But while those are decent accomplishments for this iteration of the Boston Bruins, there were no illusions inside the locker room or with the coach about where this team is right now.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 3 May 2026
The point was to conform language to lies, to narrow the range of thought, to obscure the truth, and, over time, to get people to believe in illusions.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
Archaeologists analyze the ancient painters’ creative use of the cave’s spatial definition to tell stories and create illusions of motion.
—Eric Kohn, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
In 2028, a 22-day fair is scheduled for June 7 to July 4 with a theme of magic and illusions.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusions
Noun
-
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
1 June 2026
-
Samuel's mother, Nishae Samuel, previously described her son as cheerful and outgoing, with dreams of starting his own clothing line.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
In 19 conversations between humans and chatbots analyzed by researchers, interactions spun out of control when chatbots lacked critical feedback and intervention, failing to push back like an actual human would and validating delusions in the process.—
Lauren Fichten,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
-
One of the ways inflation can damage the economy is by prompting politicians to buy into economic delusions in response.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Can persuasive storytelling help Americans be more tolerant and accepting of those with different visions for what America ought to be?—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
The bathrooms are visions of black-and-white marble and black tile, appointed with dual-head showers and a brilliant stand-alone mirror that swivels to catch you at every angle.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
During an interview with Drew Steele on the digital news outlet Florida’s Voice, Renner trotted out tired old myths about the reliability of solar energy that haven’t been true in more than a decade.—
David Jenkins,
Sun Sentinel,
26 May 2026
-
The Kardashians, captains of industry in a post-industrial age, defy the old myths.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Frustrated with her imperfect husband, a tipsy Marge stirs up a trilogy of fantasies of a different Homer.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
28 May 2026
-
These hyperbolic fantasies of socialist surrealism are often exhilarating, but Riley’s wild spectrum of images and ideas doesn’t fit readily into a clear critique.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The Monarchs banged out 10 hits, stole three bases and took advantage of nine walks, six errors, four hit batters and three wild pitches.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
-
Pueblo County capitalized on the second of those errors with an insurance run in the fourth.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
The heady scent—a mix of white florals, amber, and sandalwood—induces daydreams of tanning on a white-sand beach.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
27 May 2026
-
Nina, Karen and Caroline started appearing in my daydreams, full of vigor and life lessons.—
Jennifer Acker,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illusions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusions. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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