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

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 mirage Unless his past is a mirage, the same won’t be said about Juan Soto. Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025 The club is hoping that RF Victor Robles’ bounce-back season was not a mirage and that CF Julio Rodriguez is ready to take the next step to superstardom. Tony Blengino, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 The academic corpus treats market timing like a kind of mirage - achievable in theory but not in practice. Steven Desmyter, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 The Inland Empire is not quite a news desert, Corrigan said, but a news mirage — an area that seems to have more substantive journalism than in reality. Daniel Eduardo Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mirage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mirage
Noun
  • These daydreams of quality might just be delusions.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Starting with a dreamy conjunction between Venus and Neptune in Pisces on Feb. 1, don’t be surprised if your love life feels extra enchanting — indulge in your daydreams and let your imagination guide you.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Career experts agree dream jobs and large salaries don't always come right away.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Below, Francis reflects back on his most memorable moments onstage and looks forward to his dream career.
    Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • The show uses dual-reality technology, a technique derived from the world of mentalism, to support the illusion of real-time interaction with a pre-recorded program.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 May 2025
  • Agencies encourage the illusion of such bonds while controlling nearly every aspect of the idols’ real lives.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mirage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mirage. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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