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
So big, photos of Nicole Richie and Mischa Barton carrying their Balenciaga bags look like optical illusions.
—
Christopher Rosa, Glamour, 2 Dec. 2024
From the front, the style is simultaneously stunning and mindboggling, almost giving an optical illusion effect.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 29 Oct. 2024
The dial is rendered in grand feu enamel in a way that creates an optical illusion as the watch moves – the idea is to create the effect of a raindrop falling on the still surface of a pond, with ripples radiating out from the seconds sub-dial.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2024
During its rising phase, the moon often appears larger and brighter due to various optical illusions, including the moon illusion, in which our brains misinterpret its size when framed by foreground objects.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for optical illusion 
Christopher Rosa, Glamour, 2 Dec. 2024
From the front, the style is simultaneously stunning and mindboggling, almost giving an optical illusion effect.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 29 Oct. 2024
The dial is rendered in grand feu enamel in a way that creates an optical illusion as the watch moves – the idea is to create the effect of a raindrop falling on the still surface of a pond, with ripples radiating out from the seconds sub-dial.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2024
During its rising phase, the moon often appears larger and brighter due to various optical illusions, including the moon illusion, in which our brains misinterpret its size when framed by foreground objects.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for optical illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optical illusion
Noun
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This ‘80s silhouette, which cinches at the waist but leaves volume across the shoulders and flares at the hip, creates the illusion of an exaggerated hourglass figure, immediately adding shape back into Jenner’s otherwise loose-fitting ensemble.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
27 Jan. 2025
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This lack of day-to-day oversight allows Starfleet to preserve the illusion of plausible deniability.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Americans will soon find out if Project 2025 is a blueprint or a pipe dream.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2024
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As long as Boston’s center depth is among the league’s absolute worst, the playoffs are going to be a pipe dream.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
The Athletic,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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There’s a kind of Gothic quality to the apparitions, calling to mind Edward Gorey figures, but all smeared and melted and smudged.—
Alissa Wilkinson,
New York Times,
2 Jan. 2025
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There have been no sightings, no fleeting apparitions.—
David Ornstein,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near optical illusion
Cite this Entry
“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optical%20illusion. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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