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
Only hours into the conflict, an errant strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in southern Iran served as a gut-wrenching reminder of the cost of such illusions, and a testament to the grim truth that those who pay most dearly for the fog of war are almost always the innocent.
—
Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Miuccia Prada, herself a billionaire, has no illusions that the runway is a space for political grandstanding.
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
So illusions can come at a heavy price and the harshest price, the greatest risk is borne by the people in the streets in Iran.
—Richard Hall, Time, 3 Mar. 2026
The collection spanned knitted jeans and jackets, multi-pocketed constructions and quilting—techniques intended to give denim new illusions.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
And there are obviously illusions to real-life characters in her.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 3 Mar. 2026
But such a moment can attract dangerous illusions.
—Jalil Pakray, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
Saturn, the planet of boundaries, responsibility, and foundations, and Neptune, the planet of dreams, illusions, and spirituality, haven’t met up since 1989.
—Maressa Brown, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026
Our illusions are likely to come into contact with reality today.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2026
Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Miuccia Prada, herself a billionaire, has no illusions that the runway is a space for political grandstanding.
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
So illusions can come at a heavy price and the harshest price, the greatest risk is borne by the people in the streets in Iran.
—Richard Hall, Time, 3 Mar. 2026
The collection spanned knitted jeans and jackets, multi-pocketed constructions and quilting—techniques intended to give denim new illusions.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
And there are obviously illusions to real-life characters in her.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 3 Mar. 2026
But such a moment can attract dangerous illusions.
—Jalil Pakray, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
Saturn, the planet of boundaries, responsibility, and foundations, and Neptune, the planet of dreams, illusions, and spirituality, haven’t met up since 1989.
—Maressa Brown, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026
Our illusions are likely to come into contact with reality today.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusions
Noun
-
Both have the talent to back up their dreams.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Strong foundations can carry big dreams without unnecessary strain.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The darkly comedic drama confronts reality, privacy, and the delusions fueling our ever-changing world.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
9 Mar. 2026
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In addition to delusions and mania, the study found an increase in suicidal ideation and self-harm, disordered eating behaviors, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But there was more blank space to fill in on Issei’s end, with Season 2 swapping out fantasy sequences in Camille’s mind palace for Issei’s visions of black-and-white moonscapes to that effect.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
11 Mar. 2026
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Disturbing visions and a shocking disappearance forces him to confront dark corners of his past.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Combatting myths and fears Tracy Hobbs changed her mind recently.—
Maria Godoy,
NPR,
14 Mar. 2026
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And like all enduring myths, there are lessons embedded along the way.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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From that premise, Gyllenhaal lighted on 1930s movie musicals as some of the glossiest and most charming fantasies that Hollywood has ever put out, but also as some of the most consciously artificial.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
11 Mar. 2026
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In fact, his manuscript is also about his fantasies—in this case, fantasies about a young man who has a meaningful, intellectual, tender affair with his older mentor.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The problem with quantum phase estimation The second algorithm analyzed, QPE, is designed for future fault-tolerant quantum computers that can correct their own errors.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
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On March 6, NIPSCO uploaded three direct testimonies in the case with employees that explained the errors.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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More than masturbatory daydreams, Vladimir inspires our heroine to write with abandon, ignoring professional and personal obligations in service to her muse.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
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Below, some of the finest, high-quality ruffled bedding around the web for creating the frothy bedscape of your daydreams.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illusions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusions. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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