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 That oasis turned out to be a mirage—the beginning, not the end, of her ordeal. Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 For the communities living in regions affected by the conflict, the promise of vaccination remained a mirage. Jean Kaseya, Time, 20 Aug. 2025 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian dismissed the appeal, calling it nothing more than a mirage. Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025 Nevertheless the Giants traded away three players from their major-league roster and will now get the chance to see whether their recent turnaround is more than a mirage (consecutive losses to the Nationals over the weekend didn’t help). Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mirage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mirage
Noun
  • Designers leaned into loose, chemise-style dresses that evoked a European countryside sensibility (cue the daydream of wandering through a field of lilacs).
    Jalil Johnson, Refinery29, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Ellen retreats to her room and daydreams of her father, who understood his headstrong daughter.
    Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Everyone who shows up to his office tries to make one of his dreams come true.
    Debbie Day, EW.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • This was the cleanest operation the Browns displayed since late in the 2023 season when Joe Flacco’s fever dream carried the Browns to the playoffs.
    Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Of course, such high-tech innovations, providing the illusion of a social environment, have both pluses and minuses.
    Alan Lightman September 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Shatter your illusions of love?
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mirage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mirage. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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