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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of illusions
Sturm, who has had no illusions about what his team can and can’t do, is pleased with the way his players are starting to take to his hybrid zone/man system.
—
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Bit by bit, Guiteau’s illusions are diminished by events like an angry mob gathering outside the prison, a disappointing reaction from his sister, and a confrontation with Lucretia after Garfield’s death.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
All one had to do would be to rethink what removals are for (or shake off any post-substitutionist illusions about it).
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
In the six years since its debut, the show has become an internet sensation, with viewers online embracing the musical's campy humor, jaw-dropping stage illusions and sing-along score, with bootlegs of the production going viral on TikTok and YouTube.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
To stop this quarterback, Mizzou can’t get tricked by his illusions.
—Chase Gemes, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
What illusions have been too sweet to let go of?
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 19 Oct. 2025
Her research examines people’s beliefs about what others think of them, including illusions and biases that can interfere with social connection, and interventions to improve people’s social lives.
—Maya Rossignac-Milon
erica Boothby, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
While magicians use illusions to make objects float, physicists pursue levitation for its practical advantages.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Bit by bit, Guiteau’s illusions are diminished by events like an angry mob gathering outside the prison, a disappointing reaction from his sister, and a confrontation with Lucretia after Garfield’s death.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
All one had to do would be to rethink what removals are for (or shake off any post-substitutionist illusions about it).
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
In the six years since its debut, the show has become an internet sensation, with viewers online embracing the musical's campy humor, jaw-dropping stage illusions and sing-along score, with bootlegs of the production going viral on TikTok and YouTube.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
To stop this quarterback, Mizzou can’t get tricked by his illusions.
—Chase Gemes, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
What illusions have been too sweet to let go of?
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 19 Oct. 2025
Her research examines people’s beliefs about what others think of them, including illusions and biases that can interfere with social connection, and interventions to improve people’s social lives.
—Maya Rossignac-Milon
erica Boothby, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
While magicians use illusions to make objects float, physicists pursue levitation for its practical advantages.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusions
Noun
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Blending Sufi classics, absurdist dreams, careful mathematical calculations and lyrical narratives, Ismailov invents an ingenious transnational poetics of love and longing for the digital age.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The project follows the story of an undocumented immigrant who has always relied heavily on her legal daughter to get through life in America, but everything begins to change when her daughter wants to pursue her own dreams.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Guiteau had childhood traumas and delusions of grandeur, but his desire to find purpose through public service is presented as at least partially earnest.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
-
But if reality is infused with consciousness, this does at least open up the possibility that mystical experiences might be genuine insights into the nature of reality rather than just strange psychological delusions.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Many immigrant novels contain similar scenes, in which hapless characters embrace improbable visions of America, only to be chastened upon arrival.—
Tope Folarin,
The Atlantic,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Microsoft President Brad Smith speaks at a press conference at the Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia about future visions for the development and application of artificial intelligence in education in NRW in Berlin on June 4, 2025.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
As political leaders have looked back at Revere’s story throughout American history, the myths created by Longfellow’s poem have popped up in other social movements.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
-
These passages reflect how divided the planet once was, how easily myths about the United States could become rooted in other countries.—
Tope Folarin,
The Atlantic,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Luke, however, didn’t mind sharing his sometimes pie-in-the-sky fantasies and hopes with others.—
Marissa R. Moss,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Chartering a speedboat, we were whisked into the bay, a spellbinding expanse of calm, amniotic water dotted with more than 50 tiny islands and pristine beaches that called to mind castaway fantasies.—
David Amsden,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Orlando dominated the home stretch, however, by capitalizing on a string of Celtics errors.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Tied again at 21, the Rattlers had three hitting errors down the stretch.—
Tim Meehan SD,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But Ma has been deftly drawn as a canny realist and problem solver—not the kind of person to indulge in daydreams.—
Tope Folarin,
The Atlantic,
8 Nov. 2025
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But for business and organizational leaders, this theme doesn’t need to be the stuff of daydreams.—
Jed Brewer,
Rolling Stone,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illusions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusions. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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