ILLUSION Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

illusion

noun

i-ˈlü-zhən

Definition of illusion next

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

truth
verity

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

Examples 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 Read: The ‘peak obesity’ illusion Doctors still don’t fully understand why people on GLP-1s lose so much weight to begin with. —

Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024 Indulging the illusion that humans can control these systems while war is ongoing will tie democratic nations’ hands against adversaries with no such compunctions. —

Sebastian Elbaum, Foreign Affairs, 6 Dec. 2024 Find it on Amazon These Peel and Stick Tiles Can Create a Mirror Wall Mirrors are a great decor piece to bounce the light and give the illusion of more space. —

Kat Romero, Rolling Stone, 4 Dec. 2024 While the exact rug that Lisa tested isn’t discounted atm, this design with an interesting illusion using monochromatic green hues just sky-rocketed to the top of our wishlist. —

Leah Muncy, Architectural Digest, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for illusion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusion

Noun

After an overtime Super Bowl win, a star tight end kissed his girlfriend, the world's most successful pop star, as confetti flew—the stuff dreams are made of.

Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
For years, he’s been trading their good, young players and draft picks for a dream.

Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024