as in illusion
an image that tricks a person's vision
Some may dismiss what we witnessed that night as an optical illusion, but we firmly believe it was a UFO.
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Recent Examples of optical illusion
Rag & Bone’s revolutionary printing technique, Miramar, creates an optical illusion that makes any material look like denim.
—
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 14 Mar. 2025
On social media, it’s been described as grandma’s bathroom tile floor, an optical illusion and a magic eye poster.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2025
These optical illusion pants are made from a supersoft sweatpant-like material that’s screen-printed with denim details.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2025
Here’s to 10 years of optical illusions, internet magic, and unforgettable moments!
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 14 Mar. 2025
On social media, it’s been described as grandma’s bathroom tile floor, an optical illusion and a magic eye poster.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2025
These optical illusion pants are made from a supersoft sweatpant-like material that’s screen-printed with denim details.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2025
Here’s to 10 years of optical illusions, internet magic, and unforgettable moments!
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optical illusion
Noun
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This city will never be the same, insofar as our sense of safety, our illusions of permanence and so on, are gone.—
Lorraine Berry,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Apr. 2025
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Mat previously impressed judges on America’s Got Talent in 2014 with his magic, illusions and card tricks.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
People.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Olga and Antoine’s grand schemes of rural regeneration have proved to be a lefty pipe dream.—
Bartolomeo Sala,
The Dial,
27 Mar. 2025
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While federal banking reform was a step forward, full legalization remains a pipe dream.—
Matt Rozo,
The Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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For much of its history, the Church has had to defend itself against accusations that levitations, apparitions, and other miracles were not the work of God but that of the devil.—
Emily Harnett,
Harpers Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
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Todd, the neighbor, even the strange apparitions are obfuscated simply because of their height, which adds to the eerieness of Indy’s experience but also makes Indy’s recognition of Todd’s voice all the more emotional.—
Rafael Motamayor,
IndieWire,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optical%20illusion. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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