optical illusion

noun

Definition of optical illusionnext
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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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 optical illusion An optical illusion solved the fireplace’s off-center placement. — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 The actress opted for a pale blue McQueen gown with an optical illusion design. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 30 June 2026 Shinnecock’s fairways create optical illusions off the tee, the bunkering is treacherous and the greens are, in some places, designed to repel the ball from the putting surfaces. — Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 16 June 2026 The optical illusion may stem from Rivian using a semi-monocoque and sandwich battery layout rather than a true skateboard, providing more than 9 inches (229 mm) of additional wheelbase than the Rav4. — ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optical illusion
  1. illusion
  2. pipe dream
  3. apparition
  4. chimera
Noun
  • This practice, driven by post-crisis regulations like Basel III, creates an illusion of safety for commercial banks, which show 5-8% more excess capital.
    — Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Warm off-white paint creates the illusion of a larger kitchen.
    — Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 16 July 2026
Definition of illusion
Noun
  • United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain's pitch for a four-day workweek for assembly workers was brushed aside as a pipe dream.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 July 2026
  • The Information posited, while noting that since 2020, Meta’s Reality Lab division has lost $87 billion chasing metaverse pipe dreams.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026
Definition of pipe dream
Noun
  • That is, until miraculous apparitions turn it into a place to be.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • The music starts to shift beginning with the third episode, when Lestat becomes overwhelmed by the apparition of his abusive maker and other ghosts, including Claudia, whose killing he’d been forced to witness firsthand.
    — Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
Definition of apparition
Noun
  • 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
  • Workers will continue with smaller tasks around the facade, including the installation of chimeras that sit on the roofline, but the heavy lifting has been completed, Walter said.
    — Dylan Lovan, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of chimera

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optical
optical illusion
optical illusions
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Cite this Entry

“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optical%20illusion. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on optical illusion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about optical illusion

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