mirage

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mirage contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of mirage are delusion, hallucination, and illusion. While all these words mean "something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal," mirage in its extended sense applies to an illusory vision, dream, hope, or aim.

claimed a balanced budget is a mirage

Where would delusion be a reasonable alternative to mirage?

The words delusion and mirage can be used in similar contexts, but delusion implies an inability to distinguish between what is real and what only seems to be real, often as the result of a disordered state of mind.

delusions of persecution

When could hallucination be used to replace mirage?

In some situations, the words hallucination and mirage are roughly equivalent. However, hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs.

suffered from terrifying hallucinations

When can illusion be used instead of mirage?

While the synonyms illusion and mirage are close in meaning, illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines.

an illusion of safety

Examples 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 mirage Even the film’s one or two glimmers of hope, which only leap out at the very end, appear as mere mirages in a desert of drugs and American decline. Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2024 Somehow, after the Bucs resembled the Eagles and the Saints by having a game down the stretch virtually signed, sealed and delivered against the Falcons, Cousins turned that into a mirage. Terence Moore, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024 Homeownership continues to be a mirage for many Americans, as high real estate prices and mortgage rates have proven challenging for first-time buyers. Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2024 The Michigan and Penn State games will prove whether this Trojans squad is a playoff contender, or the Louisiana State win was just a mirage in the Las Vegas desert. Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mirage 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mirage
Noun
  • The scene feels more like fantasy than reality, perhaps a daydream or hallucination conjured from one of Lois’s alcoholic hazes.
    Jen Chaney, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2024
  • Wine & Travel France is an armchair traveler’s delight, inspiring daydreams as well as vacation plans.
    Laura Manske, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • My young mind couldn't handle the concept of Freddy Krueger, a demon who could appear in your dreams and kill you in your sleep!
    Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 28 Nov. 2024
  • The 2024 holiday season is shaping out to be a deal hunter's dream.
    Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Spot black swans, clash unlike things together, design bold alternatives, find hidden loopholes, and craft first-mover illusions.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Her pant legs maintain a straight silhouette and are cut long, amplifying an illusion of height.
    Andrea Bossi, Essence, 6 Nov. 2024

Podcast

Thesaurus Entries Near mirage

Cite this Entry

“Mirage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mirage. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on mirage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!