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
Keen on intricate tailoring and optical illusions, Dom Streater quickly became the geometric whiz of Project Runway.
—
Henry Chandonnet, People.com, 31 July 2025
Instead, Burke had been fooled by a very convincing optical illusion.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
For a bronze glow, apply a thin layer straight down the center of your arms and legs for a beauty optical illusion that gives the appearance of length and smoothness.
—Marie Lodi, Allure, 16 July 2025
But that number was an optical illusion following Robert Saleh’s firing after Week 5.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Henry Chandonnet, People.com, 31 July 2025
Instead, Burke had been fooled by a very convincing optical illusion.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
For a bronze glow, apply a thin layer straight down the center of your arms and legs for a beauty optical illusion that gives the appearance of length and smoothness.
—Marie Lodi, Allure, 16 July 2025
But that number was an optical illusion following Robert Saleh’s firing after Week 5.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optical illusion
Noun
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Advertisement The difference in hurricane activity between the two oceans is actually more climatological illusion than fact.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
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Torches held by ancient hands would have given the tableau the illusion of movement.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Newsom and California Democrats are doing nothing more than posturing for his 2028 pipe dream.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
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Other leaders like Mel Robbins agree that Gen Z faces unique problems: sky-high student loans, a growing wealth gap, and homeownership becoming a pipe dream.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Ahead of the 500-year anniversary of the Virgin Mary’s apparition in Tepeyac, Mexico, the sculpture is embarking on a worldwide tour, with visits scheduled to Colombia, Puerto Rico and the Philippines, among other places.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2025
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In Lockwood’s world, the apparition of a saint is not strictly strange.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optical%20illusion. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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