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
Masks are slipping and illusions are fading.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 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
Some cherished illusions will be shattered, including what chimpanzees eat, which is not exclusively fruit but sometimes other, weaker primates like red colobus monkeys.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 13 Apr. 2026
No one was under any illusions.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 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
Some cherished illusions will be shattered, including what chimpanzees eat, which is not exclusively fruit but sometimes other, weaker primates like red colobus monkeys.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 13 Apr. 2026
No one was under any illusions.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusions
Noun
-
Around him, siblings, lovers and friends face CIA threats, tourist-rental anxieties, drug-dealing producers, secret desire and lottery dreams in a choral portrait of love, family and frustrated escape.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
11 May 2026
-
Each gets stage time to speak at length about their dreams, both realized and broken, and regrets.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Concerns have grown over the potential for AI chatbots to fuel delusions in people, especially those who are already vulnerable to mental health problems.—
Laura Jarrett,
NBC news,
10 May 2026
-
Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health condition that is marked by a mix of schizophrenia symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, and mood disorder symptoms, such as depression, mania and a milder form of mania called hypomania, per the Mayo Clinic.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
The young military leader who claimed to receive divine visions was honored as a saint in 1920.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
Protect your peace and your long-term visions.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Given the amount of misinformation on the internet about just about anything, the ability to distinguish accurate information from potentially harmful myths or scams is vital.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Some myths add that a woman who becomes a kuntilanak is one who also died a violent death, murdered and/or raped by men, and who now seeks revenge.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
While Goodman’s paradoxes and fantasies posed challenges to me as her biographer, with the advent of AI slop and ChatGPT, our courtship with illusion (and possibly delusion) is here to stay.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
-
Known for its signature vibrant psychedelic prints, the designs are summer personified, enticing fans with fantasies of wearing them by the pool, Aperol spritz in hand.—
Diana Tsui,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The set was an emotional roller coaster with four deuces and eight service errors by the Highlanders.—
Justin Vigil Zuniga,
Daily News,
10 May 2026
-
Hawai’i scored in bunches, while unforced errors hurt Long Beach.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Nina, Karen and Caroline started appearing in my daydreams, full of vigor and life lessons.—
Jennifer Acker,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
-
Some stories plant deep in your creative brain and come out through songs heard on the radio and random daydreams in the shower.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illusions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusions. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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