Synonyms of illusory

illusory

adjective

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

Related Words

• imaginary
• unreal
• ideal
• imagined
• invented
• imaginal
• unlikely
• delusive
• surreal
• deceptive
• abstract
• phantasmagorical
• hallucinatory
• mythic
• chimerical
• fantastical
• fictitious
• phantasmagoric
• delusional
• phantasmal
• phantom
• fictional
• mythical
• fanciful
• make-believe
• chimeric
• phantasmic
• notional
• hypothetical
• fantasied
• theoretic
• romantic
• theoretical
• fabled
• legendary
• pretend
• daydreamlike
• visionary
• unbelievable
• made-up
• unconvincing
• fabulous
• fantastic
• nonexistent
• fictive
• envisioned
• visualized
• conceived
• envisaged
• feigned
• concocted
• fabricated
• pictured
• inexistent

Dissimilar Words

• true
• genuine
• authentic
• factual
• realistic
• physical
• verifiable
• substantial
• convincing
• solid
• real
• corporeal
• believable
• tangible
• actual
• material
• palpable
• existing
• existent
• verified

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

Recent Examples of illusory

Any thought of stability is illusory; no patch of molecules dances in isolation. —Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025

Preparation for the Next Life is being released in a moment of strife and fever-pitch arguments about the American Dream — its perils and illusory qualities especially for those who have migrated to a country so primed on their exploitation. —Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025

In conclusion, several factors, starting from the extent of our exposure to horoscopes to illusory correlation, can play a role in your astrology beliefs, but those are not necessarily the same factors that influence the strength of your relationship, as the aforementioned study shows. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

How much of this estimate is hoped-for government spending and financial guarantees that will end up illusory? —Peter Murphy, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2025