as in daydreams
something that comes from or exists only in the mind and is not real
He thought he saw water up ahead but it was just a mirage.
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Recent Examples of mirages
At the frontier edge of astronomy, tantalizing new observations have a tendency to be mirages.
—
Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 24 Sep. 2025
But inside, slabs of colored glass, hunks of polished resin, and sundry material experiments gleam like mirages in the sunlight that streams in from the ceiling and windows.
—Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
The Great Plain stretches beneath poetic skies where herds graze and mirages dance—while thermal springs bubble in ornate bathhouses like Széchenyi—their steam rising through vaulted ceilings.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 24 Sep. 2025
But inside, slabs of colored glass, hunks of polished resin, and sundry material experiments gleam like mirages in the sunlight that streams in from the ceiling and windows.
—Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
The Great Plain stretches beneath poetic skies where herds graze and mirages dance—while thermal springs bubble in ornate bathhouses like Széchenyi—their steam rising through vaulted ceilings.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mirages
Noun
-
Shortly after, the book began to take shape, with new elements often arriving in vivid daydreams and eerie nightmares.—
Charlie Vargas,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
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And like the iconic Orient-Express (whose original route has been revived by Belmond's Venice Simplon-Orient-Express), the Champagne flutes, suited servers, and glossy design of this locomotive hold a seductive potential for daydreams and drama.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Jake LaRavia was destined to play for the LA Lakers, the team of his father's youth, closing a family loop of boyhood dreams and untimely death, Gregg Doyel writes.—
Joe Mutascio,
IndyStar,
10 Feb. 2026
-
After 50 years of helping skaters achieve their dreams, the man who was always behind the scenes got to live his.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Hopefuls were quizzed on their visions for the company and views on such topics as teamwork and corporate culture.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Disturbing visions and a shocking disappearance forces him to confront dark corners of his past.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mirages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mirages. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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