as in imaginary
formal
based on something that is not true or real; based on an illusion
an illusory hope an illusory sense of security
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illusory
After a national Senate election in which Cruz’s closing pitch focused on the illusory threat of naked men in high school girls’ locker rooms, Texas Republicans have also filed dozens of anti-trans bills, the Dallas Observer reported.
—
Saul Elbein, The Hill, 30 Dec. 2024
Chevron top pick If oil prices don’t budge, Trump’s desire to increase production could prove illusory, at least in the short- to medium term.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2024
Perfect justice is illusory because our parents or birthplace are serendipitous.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2025
To me, the ending leaves as an open question whether Tóth has retreated to illusory safe ground or found a more hospitable home.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illusory
Saul Elbein, The Hill, 30 Dec. 2024
Chevron top pick If oil prices don’t budge, Trump’s desire to increase production could prove illusory, at least in the short- to medium term.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2024
Perfect justice is illusory because our parents or birthplace are serendipitous.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2025
To me, the ending leaves as an open question whether Tóth has retreated to illusory safe ground or found a more hospitable home.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illusory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusory
Adjective
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In the case of the imaginary fruit, for example, glucose and citric acid would be used.—
Gayoung Lee,
Scientific American,
28 Feb. 2025
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Some of the stories are set in the past, others in the present, and still others in an imaginary future.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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It’s got an immersive screen that makes games look unreal, and the OLED panel blows everything else out of the water with its colors and contrast.—
Shubham Yewale,
PCMAG,
17 Feb. 2025
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The circumstances surrounding many aspects of the trip seemed both surreal and unreal, and at times I was left wondering if Lumon had activated a yet-unknown-to-us part of the severance chip (à la The Matrix) to send the refiners on this journey in their minds.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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First embraced by shoemakers when leather was scarce during World War II, the tightly woven palm fibers are ideal for warmer climates, which Canary Islands native Manolo Blahnik surely knows a thing or two about.—
Naomi Rougeau,
Robb Report,
2 Mar. 2025
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Many of the park’s trails are ideal for mountain biking, with Lakeside Loop, Evitts Mountain Trail, and Rocky Trail being the most popular for cyclists.—
Trudy Haywood Saunders,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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With one technique, for example—called imaginal exposure—you might be asked to visualize the process of going to the airport, boarding the plane, and experiencing a bad bout of turbulence.—
Angela Haupt,
TIME,
10 May 2024
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Mercury entering into Pisces turns up the imaginal juice.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
23 Feb. 2024
Adjective
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Furthermore, with Florian Wirtz walking off the pitch with an injury today, a Leverkusen comeback is even more unlikely.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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Despite the grievances and the alarmingly high number, Canadian dairy is not a significant export, and a reciprocal 241% tariff on milk is unlikely to do significant economic damage to either country.—
David Goldman,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to illusory
Cite this Entry
“Illusory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusory. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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