illusory

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective illusory contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of illusory are apparent, ostensible, and seeming. While all these words mean "not actually being what appearance indicates," illusory implies a false impression based on deceptive resemblance or faulty observation, or influenced by emotions that prevent a clear view.

an illusory sense of security

When is apparent a more appropriate choice than illusory?

The synonyms apparent and illusory are sometimes interchangeable, but apparent suggests appearance to unaided senses that may or may not be borne out by more rigorous examination or greater knowledge.

the apparent cause of the accident

When is it sensible to use ostensible instead of illusory?

The meanings of ostensible and illusory largely overlap; however, ostensible suggests a discrepancy between an openly declared or naturally implied aim or reason and the true one.

the ostensible reason for their visit

When could seeming be used to replace illusory?

While the synonyms seeming and illusory are close in meaning, seeming implies a character in the thing observed that gives it the appearance, sometimes through intent, of something else.

the seeming simplicity of the story

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of illusory Naysayers insisted that increasing content costs would match the company’s rapid topline and subscriber growth, and profits would prove illusory. Michael Khouw, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025 Trump, in this view, inherited an economy in which a seemingly healthy job market is, in fact, illusory. Neil Irwin, Axios, 9 Mar. 2025 And cost savings has been illusory. Howard Gleckman, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 Defenders of the policy point to waiver provisions as evidence of the new policy's flexibility, but closer examination reveals these waivers to be illusory. Carlos Del Toro, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for illusory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusory
Adjective
  • New York is a realm of fantasy and myth, obsession and resentment, fear and bewilderment for many who’ve never set foot in it; and many who live here also purvey and perpetuate some version of the imaginary city.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 May 2025
  • The imaginary elements of the story — the witches, and the university — stem from growing up with my father, and reading novels by Julio Verne and Emilio Salgari.
    Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • Meeting your life-long love as a child at church may seem unreal.
    India Espy-Jones, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Spectators and commentators alike were taken aback as the incident unfolded due to the unreal farmer's tan of Phillips.
    Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The styles are ideal for those who want to seamlessly merge their indoor style alfresco.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 13 May 2025
  • Heat is ideal for relaxing tight muscles, while cold therapy can reduce swelling and pain.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • With one technique, for example—called imaginal exposure—you might be asked to visualize the process of going to the airport, boarding the plane, and experiencing a bad bout of turbulence.
    Angela Haupt, TIME, 10 May 2024
  • Mercury entering into Pisces turns up the imaginal juice.
    USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
Adjective
  • Not cut out for heroics, inept ant soldiers Arnie and Barney decide to tackle the problem by themselves, inadvertently becoming the most unlikely of heroes in the process.
    Ed Meza, Variety, 19 May 2025
  • In markets like the U.S. and the U.K., government bonds have historically been considered safe investments, as the governments were considered highly unlikely to default on their debts.
    Chloe Taylor,Holly Ellyatt,Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 19 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Illusory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusory. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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