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
The optical illusion reminded early settlers of the blockades of wooden stakes, or palisades, built around forts to ward off threats.
—
Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Stripes could create an optical illusion of size, and mixing objects of different sizes could change the perception of speed.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 May 2026
But that proved to be an optical illusion.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The complications showcased in Schulz-Hildebrandt’s nine dot optical illusion is a great example of a phenomenon called simultaneous contrast.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Stripes could create an optical illusion of size, and mixing objects of different sizes could change the perception of speed.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 May 2026
But that proved to be an optical illusion.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The complications showcased in Schulz-Hildebrandt’s nine dot optical illusion is a great example of a phenomenon called simultaneous contrast.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optical illusion
Noun
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The Office Romance actress stole the show at the Netflix film’s New York City premiere on June 2, dazzling in a naked illusion corset gown that covered her curves in dreamy blooms.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
-
Michael created the illusion of magic.—
Rodney Carmichael,
NPR,
3 June 2026
Noun
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The decades-long quest to build home robots that are both helpful and lifelike — spurred on by fictional machines like the Jetsons’ humanoid maid Rosie —- is still mostly a pipe dream.—
Matt O’Brien,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
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The rapid normalization of working from home has reconfigured how and where talent operates, offering flexibility that was once a pipe dream.—
Vikram Joshi,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
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Venus, on the other hand, reaches its highest altitude in the western evening twilight during June for this current apparition and captures the gaze of millions.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
5 June 2026
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That late-game run––forty-four points to the Cavs’ eleven––was as soul-crushing to Cleveland as the apparition of Willis Reed, hobbling to center court, had been to the Lakers fifty-six years ago.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
30 May 2026
Noun
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Additional cast members include Lorenzo James Henrie (Fear the Walking Dead), Lorenzo Richelmy (Netflix's Marco Polo), Vincenzo Nemolato (La chimera), and Rupert Everett (My Best Friend's Wedding).—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 May 2026
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High atop what's known as Northern Kentucky’s Notre-Dame are 58 new terra cotta gargoyles and chimeras watching over the city.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optical%20illusion. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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