1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 The difference is that the latter is a much more billowy version, defined by a high waistline that crescendos into a full-body flare, creating an optical illusion of longer legs. — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026 Adventure seekers should make time for Xplor’s zip lines and underground cave system, while Xenses provides a playful take on nature complete with optical illusions. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026 Embraced by a number of celebrities since its debut, the silhouette might present a bit of an optical illusion upon first glance, appearing as if two sides of the pump are disconnected in the front. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 31 July 2026 Drawing inspiration from Superliminal, Sol blends optical illusions with an uncanny, dreamlike atmosphere that turns a familiar experience into an inventive mystery. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 23 July 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
  • However, this daily limitation is an illusion of protection because customers report the number of transactions that day, rather than requiring the crypto kiosk industry to implement available technology to ensure compliance.
    — Mike Ryan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Zoom out from New York, though, and the illusion starts to fade.
    — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of illusion
Noun
  • How could this kid from the cornfields of Illinois say no to that kind of pipe dream?
    — Robert Greenblatt, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
  • As the league and union continue amassing their respective war chests for the next CBA four-to-five years down the road, the last thing the league needs to do publicly is depict pipe dreams as front-burner issues.
    — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of pipe dream
Noun
  • For evening observers, this apparition has been more frustrating than triumphant, with Venus lingering low in the glow of twilight instead of climbing into a commanding position.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • One minute, the stubble field in front of his stand had been empty, and then suddenly, like an apparition, a whitetail buck had appeared.
    — Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of apparition
Noun
  • The new era of worker power that labor advocates proclaimed as the pandemic ebbed was something of a chimera.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Mixed into a suspension of cellulose nanoparticles and then frozen, the customised chimera formed a flexible molecular skeleton that dramatically increases the tensile strength of the surrounding ice.
    — Mike McRae September 16, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of chimera

Browse Nearby Words

optical
optical illusion
optical illusions
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optical%20illusion. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on optical illusion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about optical illusion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All