Synonym Chooser

How does the noun illusion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of illusion are delusion, hallucination, and mirage. While all these words mean "something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal," illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines.

an illusion of safety

When is delusion a more appropriate choice than illusion?

While the synonyms delusion and illusion are close in meaning, 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 could hallucination be used to replace illusion?

In some situations, the words hallucination and illusion are roughly equivalent. However, hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs.

suffered from terrifying hallucinations

When might mirage be a better fit than illusion?

The words mirage and illusion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 illusion Giving up his right to an appeal could also wind up being an illusion, years down the road, Mohandie warned. Michael Ruiz , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025 The illusion comes from how our brains interpret visual cues, especially when comparing the moon to nearby objects like trees or buildings. Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 8 July 2025 Because the hard truth is, safe passage is just an illusion when pirates are in the area. S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 8 July 2025 And that illusion, like so many beauty standards, was centered on whiteness. Nana Regueiro, Vogue, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusion
Noun
  • The onetime dream of widespread debt forgiveness has been extinguished, and a five-year reprieve for people who had defaulted on student loans expired in May of this year.
    Brit Morse, Fortune, 8 July 2025
  • With the help of a starlet named Vera, her dream of meeting him slowly takes shape.
    Marta Balaga, Variety, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • The private and personalized nature of AI use makes its mental health impact difficult to track, but the evidence of potential harms is mounting, from professional apathy to attachments to new forms of delusion.
    Parmy Olson, Mercury News, 12 July 2025
  • At his trial, Fish's children described a chaotic home life marked by erratic behavior, religious delusions and violence.
    Christina Coulter, People.com, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • Competing authors are trapped in their respective science fiction/fantasy stories and need help getting each other out.
    WIRED, Wired News, 10 July 2025
  • This cosmic climate blurs the boundaries between fantasy and reality, offering you the opportunity to overcome challenges or doubts that have held you back in the past.
    Danijela Pilic, Glamour, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • In my own writing, the process of myth making fascinates me.
    Irenosen Okojie July 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
  • Reason 2: The Obsession with Control The second myth plaguing modern business is the assumption that complex systems can be controlled through tighter management processes.
    Tima Bansal, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • The maid gazes out the window, her mouth slightly open, as if lost in boredom or a daydream.
    Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 2 July 2025
  • For a home base that’s as inspiring as the journey itself, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay rises from the cliffs like something out of a coastal daydream.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • High-profile cases have shown that spreadsheet errors can cost companies millions.
    Aleksandra Bal, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • Unforced error after unforced error plagued the team.
    Emma Moon, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • Despite their shooting struggles, the performances of all four rookies hinted at the Nets’ vision for a versatile, dynamic roster.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025
  • To all my babies that are listening to this one, big up yourself always because faith and hard work toward your vision will eventually place your dreams at your feet.
    Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • For Leader, this hammers home the unreality of a studio without an intense marketing machine around it.
    Ryan Gaur, IndieWire, 10 June 2025
  • The title is the latest from Naughty Dog, a studio with a reputation for games that aspire to the aesthetics and prestige of cinema, with memorable characters that behave realistically despite the unreality of video games.
    Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusion. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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