ILLUSORY Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'illusory' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of illusory are apparent , ostensible , and seeming . While all these words mean "not actually being what appearance indicates," illusory implies a false impression based on deceptive resemblance or faulty observation, or influenced by emotions that prevent a clear view. // an illusory sense of security

Q: When is 'apparent' a more appropriate choice than 'illusory'?

The synonyms apparent and illusory are sometimes interchangeable, but apparent suggests appearance to unaided senses that may or may not be borne out by more rigorous examination or greater knowledge. // the apparent cause of the accident

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ostensible' instead of 'illusory'?

The meanings of ostensible and illusory largely overlap; however, ostensible suggests a discrepancy between an openly declared or naturally implied aim or reason and the true one. // the ostensible reason for their visit

Q: When could 'seeming' be used to replace 'illusory'?

While the synonyms seeming and illusory are close in meaning, seeming implies a character in the thing observed that gives it the appearance, sometimes through intent, of something else. // the seeming simplicity of the story

illusory

adjective

Definition of illusory

as in imaginary

formal based on something that is not true or real; based on an illusion an illusory hope an illusory sense of security

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How does the adjective illusory contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of illusory are apparent, ostensible, and seeming. While all these words mean "not actually being what appearance indicates," illusory implies a false impression based on deceptive resemblance or faulty observation, or influenced by emotions that prevent a clear view.

an illusory sense of security

When is apparent a more appropriate choice than illusory?

The synonyms apparent and illusory are sometimes interchangeable, but apparent suggests appearance to unaided senses that may or may not be borne out by more rigorous examination or greater knowledge.

the apparent cause of the accident

When is it sensible to use ostensible instead of illusory?

The meanings of ostensible and illusory largely overlap; however, ostensible suggests a discrepancy between an openly declared or naturally implied aim or reason and the true one.

the ostensible reason for their visit

When could seeming be used to replace illusory?

While the synonyms seeming and illusory are close in meaning, seeming implies a character in the thing observed that gives it the appearance, sometimes through intent, of something else.

the seeming simplicity of the story

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 illusory This total has always been an illusory, arbitrary concept, one that may prove unreliable yet again as this captivating relegation battle comes to a close. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026 Although the size of the illusory truth effect diminishes thereafter, each additional encounter further strengthens our perception of a claim’s legitimacy, that study found. — Markham Heid, Time, 28 Apr. 2026 The idea that transparency offers a route to closure is already proving illusory. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026 Its sense of one of the most famous buildings in world history is romantic, fantasy filled and illusory. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illusory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusory

Adjective

Where travel still leaves room for people The goal isn't to return to some imaginary golden age of travel.

— Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
There isn’t even a drastic generational shift between that imaginary cast and this film’s actual one.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of imaginary

Adjective

Similarly, for the protagonist of Conrad’s story, Captain Whalley, the true life is the life of ships, and changes of fates onshore seem only laterally relevant, near unreal.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
Continue reading … DEFYING GRAVITY — MLB outfielder goes full Spider-Man, makes baseball's catch of the year with unreal grab.

— , FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of unreal

Adjective

Viewers should then position themselves on an ideal vantage point with a good view of the sky facing north, ideally as far away as possible from cities or other sources of bright lights.

— Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
The culturally rich locale is ideal for curious travelers who’ll connect around Tianjin's dynamic history of creative artistry in music, film, art, and design through Patina’s Perpetual Journey program.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of ideal

Adjective

And this year’s menu reflects some through-the-years favorites, including some that have been re-imagined.

— Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Excess doorways were removed and replaced with new casework—the removal of some doorways allowed some spaces to be re-imagined, creating reading nooks or quiet collaboration spaces.

— Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of imagined

Adjective

Peter [Merry] likes to use is that, when a caterpillar is becoming a butterfly, new ‘imaginal cells’ emerge.

— Big Think, Big Think, 7 Aug. 2025
With one technique, for example—called imaginal exposure—you might be asked to visualize the process of going to the airport, boarding the plane, and experiencing a bad bout of turbulence.

— Angela Haupt, TIME, 10 May 2024

Definition of imaginal

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illusory

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“Illusory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusory. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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adjective

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