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
Some of these installations include 3-D holograms, optical illusions and art pieces showcasing San Diego surf culture.
—
San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2025
But for a bold twist, the rapper’ tips are inverted, creating an optical illusion that calls to mind webbed fingers or long talons.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2025
The trippy look was almost an optical illusion, with a trompe l’oeil, lapel and briefcase designed on the overcoat.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 6 May 2025
In 1976, the Viking 1 orbiter took a photo of a face on Mars, which turned out to be an optical illusion of shadows on a hill.
—Darryl Seligman, Space.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2025
But for a bold twist, the rapper’ tips are inverted, creating an optical illusion that calls to mind webbed fingers or long talons.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2025
The trippy look was almost an optical illusion, with a trompe l’oeil, lapel and briefcase designed on the overcoat.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 6 May 2025
In 1976, the Viking 1 orbiter took a photo of a face on Mars, which turned out to be an optical illusion of shadows on a hill.
—Darryl Seligman, Space.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optical illusion
Noun
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Call it pixie dust, projection, illusion, artifice — who really cares?—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
11 July 2025
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The illusion is caused by the moon being seen close to the horizon, where trees and buildings give the human brain context.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
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This might seem like a pipe dream, but there are precedents for such leadership.—
Robert Hormats,
Time,
3 July 2025
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For the vast majority of U.S. citizens, joining the millionaire club still looks like a pipe dream.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
25 June 2025
Noun
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If the humor clicks with you, there’s joy to be had in accidentally setting yourself on fire over and over again while being chased by a Slenderman-like apparition made of Post-Its.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
19 June 2025
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Venus reaches its point of greatest western elongation on June 1, at which time the dazzling 'morning star' will be at its most distant point from the sun in Earth's sky during its pre-dawn apparition.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optical%20illusion. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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