1
as in fantasies
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
Any lingering illusions of a comeback ended five minutes later when Zaha cleverly drew a foul from the lunging Sergio Busquets, and the former Crystal Palace winger, the team’s regular penalty taker, generously handed Toklomati the chance for his hat trick.
—
The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
Shatter your illusions of love?
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Israel’s action on Tuesday shattered these once reassuring and comforting illusions.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Not even Trump can have any illusions now.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
So, with no illusions, the United States and India should get to work.
—Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2025
Eclipses bring truth to the surface, so don’t cling to illusions.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 31 Aug. 2025
The creative team includes movement by Steven Hoggett, sets by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music and arrangements by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, and illusions and magic by Jamie Harrison.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
Small lights pointed at the audience also help to obscure what’s happening onstage, so guests can’t see beyond the illusions.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
Shatter your illusions of love?
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Israel’s action on Tuesday shattered these once reassuring and comforting illusions.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Not even Trump can have any illusions now.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
So, with no illusions, the United States and India should get to work.
—Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2025
Eclipses bring truth to the surface, so don’t cling to illusions.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 31 Aug. 2025
The creative team includes movement by Steven Hoggett, sets by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music and arrangements by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, and illusions and magic by Jamie Harrison.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
Small lights pointed at the audience also help to obscure what’s happening onstage, so guests can’t see beyond the illusions.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusions
Noun
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These are not fantasies drummed up by the Left despite claims from Paxton and his most ardent supporters.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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The answer isn’t to toggle back and forth between going all out and retreating into pastoral fantasies, but to recognize that for everything, there is a season.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Notably, Illinois banned AI therapy after research found chatbot therapists fuel delusions, and California is close to becoming the first state to restrict companion bots to protect kids.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Hernandez, chronicling the delusions that drove him into the arms of the law, demonstrates how imprisonment can begin far before sentencing.—
Manuel Muñoz,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Advertisement While Gaal steels herself, the force that’s stalked her visions finally arrives, stepping into view with the certainty of someone who’s already seen the ending.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Musk and Bezos have different ideas of what humans’ future in space should look like, and their visions are not mutually exclusive.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Partnerships like this help to dispel myths and skepticism surrounding LiDAR’s versatility.—
Ni Tao,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
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Forget the old myths about dressing up or sweet-talking your way to the front.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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These aren’t just pilots—they’re young men and women balancing ambition with sacrifice, chasing dreams while missing time with family and friends.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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West Elm’s Open Box Outlet Deals include a variety of stylish furniture and decor to make your backyard the space of your dreams.—
Jamie Weissman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Red Sox committed three errors, including two by second baseman David Hamilton.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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The Cordell report has since been discredited — missing transcripts, factual errors and even confusion of key witnesses.—
Matthew J. Frauenfeld,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Ellen retreats to her room and daydreams of her father, who understood his headstrong daughter.—
Lincee Ray Published,
EW.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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In the Netflix dramedy Too Much, a brokenhearted American, Jess, makes the move across the pond, inspired in part by daydreams of stately castles, rolling green hills and dashing gentlemen professing their ardent admiration.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illusions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusions. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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