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
Brief, startling moments of illumination are everywhere in its stories; so are all kinds of optical illusions and distortions.
—
Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
What Schiaparelli observed in good faith, and Lowell in blind faith, were optical illusions caused by dust storms and the chance alignment of surface features like craters.
—David Kamp, Air Mail, 23 Aug. 2025
But maybe that was something of an optical illusion.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
Museum of Illusions, an international edutainment franchise, offers interactive optical illusions and sensory experiences.
—Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
What Schiaparelli observed in good faith, and Lowell in blind faith, were optical illusions caused by dust storms and the chance alignment of surface features like craters.
—David Kamp, Air Mail, 23 Aug. 2025
But maybe that was something of an optical illusion.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
Museum of Illusions, an international edutainment franchise, offers interactive optical illusions and sensory experiences.
—Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optical illusion
Noun
-
The milky manicure—which gives the illusion of a milky bath—has inspired plenty of spin-offs, usually worn with long almond nails.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
26 Sep. 2025
-
As represented by Camus, absurdism emphasizes accepting the absurdity of life and finding joy without illusions, often through gallows humor.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But then there’s a game like Sunday’s against the Saints, where the 49ers provided a clear, undeniable reminder that their unique philosophy isn’t a pipe dream, but rather a fully-functioning, if slightly-insane reality.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Passive income that scales is a practical strategy, not a pipe dream.—
Justin Donald,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Forced to participate in increasingly macabre rituals and tests, Giacomo is consumed by the sinister — as apparitions, ghosts and deadly rumors start to accumulate.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Central Staircase An eerie apparition of Mary Worth will appear at the top of the staircase.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optical%20illusion. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share