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
Relevance
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
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
If Scott were merely adept at the switcheroo illusions — playing two halves of a conversation simultaneously, shooting at someone and being shot — the Chekhov would be charming but not, as great theater requires, new.
—
Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025
The wide front porch gives the illusion that the open-plan living and kitchen area extends past the exterior walls, through the (optional) all-glass double doors to the great outdoors.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2025
The actress added square-toe boots and wore her blonde hair in a slicked style.
12 of 18
Alessandra Ambrosio
For the Balenciaga Paris Fashion Week show, Alessandra Ambrosio opted for a navy blue sweater paired with illusion lingerie on the bottom.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
This free agency period, there’s no illusion that the 49ers’ defense needs everyone’s attention after last season’s emotionally draining 6-11 disaster.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illusion
Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025
The wide front porch gives the illusion that the open-plan living and kitchen area extends past the exterior walls, through the (optional) all-glass double doors to the great outdoors.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2025
The actress added square-toe boots and wore her blonde hair in a slicked style.
12 of 18
Alessandra Ambrosio
For the Balenciaga Paris Fashion Week show, Alessandra Ambrosio opted for a navy blue sweater paired with illusion lingerie on the bottom.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
This free agency period, there’s no illusion that the 49ers’ defense needs everyone’s attention after last season’s emotionally draining 6-11 disaster.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusion
Noun
-
Bringing a hospital to the West End was the dream of Corenza Townsend, chief administrative officer for Norton West.—
James Brown,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2025
-
At the end of 2023, the now 30-year-old went from working a tech job in New York — his dream city — to moving into the spare bedroom at his 90-year-old grandmother’s home in Los Angeles.—
Athena Sobhan,
People.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Many of these protagonists endure the tedium and humiliation of involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations, losing days and years to paralyzing inertia, and experiencing terrifying delusions of persecution and betrayal.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
26 Mar. 2025
-
That would be you, the audience, fed a royal jelly concocted of dream, fantasy, myth, popcorn, even delusion.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The show is co-created by Rick Riordan and based on his fantasy book series.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Over the course of his career, Reynoso has designed costumes from dozens of time periods, as well as different countries, and even timeless fantasy periods.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
First, there is the technology myth, the belief that older employees cannot keep pace with digital advancements.—
Dan Pontefract,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Because Jordan only gets better and better in memory and myth.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The video poignantly contrasts between a life with and without the threat of gun violence through a little girl’s daydream.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
10 Mar. 2025
-
But true love isn’t built in daydreams—it’s built in real-time, with real people.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The surveys were conducted either online or by telephone with a live interviewer, and had a margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 percentage points.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
-
The poll was conducted between March 24 and 28 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.7 percentage points.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Sixes was featured for both men and women in The World Games 2022, and is at the center of lacrosse’s Olympic vision.—
Tim Genske,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Following your treatment plan can help preserve your vision.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
As the novel progresses, this sense of unreality sharpens.—
Jordan Kisner,
The Atlantic,
4 Apr. 2025
-
The initial blitzkrieg against USAID in January had a feel of unreality: the natural reaction was denial.—
Dylan Matthews,
Vox,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusion. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share