as in imaginary
formal
based on something that is not true or real; based on an illusion
an illusory hope an illusory sense of security
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illusory
The idea that transparency offers a route to closure is already proving illusory.
—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Its sense of one of the most famous buildings in world history is romantic, fantasy filled and illusory.
—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
19 Apr. 2026
Physicists treat the volume of the black hole as illusory, like a hologram.
—
Shalma Wegsman,
Quanta Magazine,
30 Mar. 2026
If the recent leftward shift is sustained, or the earlier shift to the right was illusory, the effects on the politics of 2026 could be large, potentially putting control of Congress in the hands of Latino voters.
—
Gary M. Segura,
The Conversation,
23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illusory
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Its sense of one of the most famous buildings in world history is romantic, fantasy filled and illusory.
—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
19 Apr. 2026
Physicists treat the volume of the black hole as illusory, like a hologram.
—
Shalma Wegsman,
Quanta Magazine,
30 Mar. 2026
If the recent leftward shift is sustained, or the earlier shift to the right was illusory, the effects on the politics of 2026 could be large, potentially putting control of Congress in the hands of Latino voters.
—
Gary M. Segura,
The Conversation,
23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illusory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusory
Adjective
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In an age of visual and underground detection, why am I delayed at a traffic signal waiting for an imaginary vehicle to enter the intersection?
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This was long before the days of mo-cap or green screens, and acting with imaginary scene partners was far from the norm.
Adjective
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These digital technologies have also created an echo chamber of self-confirming views, which has contributed to an unreal, simplified view of a nuanced, messy world.
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The air is fresh and clean, the pace is calm, and the views are unreal.
Adjective
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Right from the coconut is ideal.
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The durable piece is ideal for high-traffic spaces, and the soft pile ensures comfort.
Adjective
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The humanities will survive not by defending an imagined past of disinterested purity, but by demonstrating their necessity in a fractured republic.
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That is, real, not merely illusory, measures, so that the allure to breach peace for imagined gains is overshadowed.
Adjective
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Peter [Merry] likes to use is that, when a caterpillar is becoming a butterfly, new ‘imaginal cells’ emerge.
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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.
Adjective
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An unlikely combination of right-hander Gavin Hollowell, lefty Caleb Thielbar and right-hander Trent Thornton kept the Padres off the board over the final 2 2/3 innings to keep the game tied for the Cubs’ offense.
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His workload and efficiency have been invaluable, and demoting seems unlikely.
Cite this Entry
“Illusory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusory. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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