illusion

noun

i-ˈlü-zhən How to pronounce illusion (audio)
Definition of illusionnext
1
as in dream
a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality the magician specializes in creating illusions, so that people believe they have seen something when they really haven't

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delusion
a false idea or belief he had no illusions about how much effort and money the renovation project would require

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun illusion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of illusion are delusion, hallucination, and mirage. While all these words mean "something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal," illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines.

an illusion of safety

When is delusion a more appropriate choice than illusion?

While the synonyms delusion and illusion are close in meaning, delusion implies an inability to distinguish between what is real and what only seems to be real, often as the result of a disordered state of mind.

delusions of persecution

When could hallucination be used to replace illusion?

In some situations, the words hallucination and illusion are roughly equivalent. However, hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs.

suffered from terrifying hallucinations

When might mirage be a better fit than illusion?

The words mirage and illusion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mirage in its extended sense applies to an illusory vision, dream, hope, or aim.

claimed a balanced budget is a mirage

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 illusion The second stage had a mini-boss fight against a character named Astro Bot, which seemed illusion-based. — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026 Her off-the-shoulder dress was covered in intricate pearl embellishments and featured a sheer illusion neckline. — Kelsey Stiegman, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026 But planning and repositioning are different exercises, and the space between them is exactly where the diversification illusion lives longest. — Khalifa Aldhaheri, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 The drop-waist elongates the torso to create the illusion of height, all while concealing pesky lines due to the breathable pleats. — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusion
  1. dream
  2. delusion
  3. fantasy
  4. myth
  5. vision
  6. error
  7. daydream
  8. unreality
Noun
  • Meanwhile, the Young Bucks will challenge Adam Copeland and Christian Cage for the AEW World Tag Team Championship in a dream match between teams from different generations.
    — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Pop, in making his dream a reality, became a hero and a torchbearer.
    — Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of dream
Noun
  • Symptoms of postpartum psychosis can include delusions or hallucinations that can prompt suicidal or homicidal action, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • That’s the sign of an overmatched team, and one that should be far, far away from any delusions of postseason grandeur.
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of delusion
Noun
  • The initial offering will include more than 200 titles across popular genres including romance, billionaire romance, fantasy and family drama, with a wide selection of titles available with Indonesian dubbing and subtitles.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The catalog spans genres such as fantasy, family drama, romance and billionaire romance, told in episodes running 60-90 seconds.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of fantasy
Noun
  • Visitors are invited to travel across time and place to notice how societies around the world tended to weave similar, parallel myths.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But cultural myths and urban legends have also stereotyped them into Halloween mascots, demonic beings and carriers of diseases.
    — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of myth
Noun
  • Roman will also detect exoplanets using the tried-and-true transit method, but scientists expect the new telescope to find a lot more than past space missions have, thanks to its wider vision.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The immigrant entrepreneurs often offered their families and young customers an idealized vision of American life.
    — Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of vision
Noun
  • After a stellar start with just one error in 14 games, Lombard has now committed an error in six consecutive games.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Dylan Beavers drove in Mayo with a two-out single and Taveras scored on a fielding error by Lopez for a 2-0 lead.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of error
Noun
  • The next day, Luwi had a similar daydream, but this time the disapproving patriarch was Gajdusek.
    — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • And amidst the momentum of reverie, there’s the line ‘Blink at the light and hope to survive,’ because daydreams in a fascist state can be scary too.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 June 2026
Definition of daydream
Noun
  • God is the infinite Mind that naturally causes each individual to know right from wrong, truth from untruth, and most importantly, reality from unreality.
    — Suzanne Riedel, Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2026
  • The passion for sports is a matter of its unrealities—its past is more myth than history.
    — Austin Elias-de Jesus, New Yorker, 3 June 2026
Definition of unreality

Phrases Containing illusion

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ill-using
illusion
illusionist
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Cite this Entry

“Illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusion. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on illusion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about illusion

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