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.
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Recent Examples of optical illusion
On social media, it’s been described as grandma’s bathroom tile floor, an optical illusion and a magic eye poster.
—
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2025
When viewing the artwork, the colors vibrate and create an optical illusion.
—Lisa Kocay, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
The strapless corset dress was made with a floral bodice, and each flower was crafted out of feathers making for an optical illusion all down the dress, as seen in a video shared by Town and Country.
—Justine Fisher, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025
On March 23, an optical illusion will make Saturn’s massive rings become nearly invisible for a few days.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2025
When viewing the artwork, the colors vibrate and create an optical illusion.
—Lisa Kocay, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
The strapless corset dress was made with a floral bodice, and each flower was crafted out of feathers making for an optical illusion all down the dress, as seen in a video shared by Town and Country.
—Justine Fisher, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025
On March 23, an optical illusion will make Saturn’s massive rings become nearly invisible for a few days.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optical illusion
Noun
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Yet there are filmmakers who fall prey to the illusion too.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
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On far too many occasions, Watson chose deceit over candor, grasping for the illusion of business success and personal acclaim at any cost.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Playoff hopes have suddenly become a playoff pipe dream for the Columbus Blue Jackets.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
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While Manchester United’s stadium development is still a pipe dream, in need of financing and planning permission, their new stadium is a tangible reality already.—
Patrick Boyland,
The Athletic,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Todd, the neighbor, even the strange apparitions are obfuscated simply because of their height, which adds to the eerieness of Indy’s experience but also makes Indy’s recognition of Todd’s voice all the more emotional.—
Rafael Motamayor,
IndieWire,
10 Mar. 2025
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In the writer-director’s latest horror flick, The Monkey, there is no malignant apparition, and death doesn’t lurk or stalk.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
7 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optical%20illusion. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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