HALLUCINATION Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'hallucination' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hallucination are delusion , illusion , and mirage . While all these words mean "something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal," hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs. // suffered from terrifying hallucinations

Q: When is it sensible to use 'delusion' instead of 'hallucination'?

The words delusion and hallucination are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Q: When can 'illusion' be used instead of 'hallucination'?

Although the words illusion and hallucination have much in common, illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines. // an illusion of safety

Q: When is 'mirage' a more appropriate choice than 'hallucination'?

While in some cases nearly identical to hallucination , mirage in its extended sense applies to an illusory vision, dream, hope, or aim. // claimed a balanced budget is a mirage

hallucination

noun

hə-ˌlü-sə-ˈnā-shən

Definition of hallucination next

as in illusion

a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality were the voices real, or merely a hallucination?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in delusion

a false idea or belief the common hallucination that gluttony during the holiday season doesn't have consequences

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

truth
verity

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun hallucination contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hallucination are delusion, illusion, and mirage. While all these words mean "something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal," hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs.

suffered from terrifying hallucinations

When is it sensible to use delusion instead of hallucination?

The words delusion and hallucination are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 can illusion be used instead of hallucination?

Although the words illusion and hallucination have much in common, illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines.

an illusion of safety

When is mirage a more appropriate choice than hallucination?

While in some cases nearly identical to hallucination, 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 hallucination But beyond that, the new trailer gave us new Jackie hallucinations, someone getting stabbed in the back (literally) in the adult timeline, and a little more insight into how the girls went from eating one body hunting each other in a DIY death cult. —

Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025 Psychosis refers to when someone loses touch with reality through hallucinations and delusions. —

Brittany Dube, Health, 16 Jan. 2025 There are nearly 6 million patients in the U.S. with Alzheimer’s, and around half of them have psychosis, or symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions, Elkins said. —

Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2025 Most argue that when the UI is trained with the company’s own data, the risk of hallucination is small. —

Steve Banker, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for hallucination

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hallucination

Noun

This ‘80s silhouette, which cinches at the waist but leaves volume across the shoulders and flares at the hip, creates the illusion of an exaggerated hourglass figure, immediately adding shape back into Jenner’s otherwise loose-fitting ensemble.

— Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 27 Jan. 2025
The spliced cuffs frame her wrists, while the cutout, angular hem creates the illusion of longer legs.

— Julia Teti, WWD, 24 Jan. 2025