delusion

noun

di-ˈlü-zhən How to pronounce delusion (audio)
Definition of delusionnext
1
as in illusion
a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality her idea that her new man is a long lost prince is surely just a delusion

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in myth
a false idea or belief he appears to suffer from the delusion that he's the best reporter in the business

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun delusion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of delusion are hallucination, illusion, and mirage. While all these words mean "something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal," 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 can hallucination be used instead of delusion?

While in some cases nearly identical to delusion, hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs.

suffered from terrifying hallucinations

Where would illusion be a reasonable alternative to delusion?

The synonyms illusion and delusion are sometimes interchangeable, but illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines.

an illusion of safety

When is it sensible to use mirage instead of delusion?

The words mirage and delusion can be used in similar contexts, but 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 delusion These were people, who, in Yusuf’s words, couldn’t tell the difference between hope and delusion. —Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026 Neglecting himself to worship a projection, Narcissus isn’t so much struck down by the gods as he is lost to hopeless delusion. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026 Do not listen to them, for they are fueled by delusion. —J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026 Or are all the happenings just a delusion? —Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for delusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delusion
  1. illusion
  2. myth
  3. dream
  4. error
  5. fantasy
  6. superstition
  7. daydream
  8. vision
Noun
  • More than a month into open confrontation between Iran, the United States, Israel, and now parts of the Arab Gulf, the illusion of a quick and decisive conflict has collapsed.
    — Kazem Kazerounian, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The next mayor will inherit an enormous burden on Day 1 with no room for illusions.
    — Bill Conway, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of illusion
Noun
  • Hochheiser’s disturbing story belies the myth of Florida as the golden destination for retirees in their sunset years.
    — Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Pregnancy is a time of excitement and anticipation, and mothers-to-be are often brimming with questions, many of them, unfortunately, based on myth and superstition.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of myth
Noun
  • For travelers with an adventurous spirit, Costa Rica’s South Pacific is a dream come true.
    — Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
  • But what was once a distant dream is now coming true for more and more authors, all up and down the ladder of literary fame and prestige.
    — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of dream
Noun
  • Kody Clemens scored on an error by five-time Gold Glove-winning catcher Salvador Perez in the second, and Byron Buxton added a sacrifice fly off John Schreiber in the eighth, before the Twins teed off against Royals reliever Steven Cruz in the ninth.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Angels center fielder Mike Trout dropped a Kelly fly ball for a two-base error.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of error
Noun
  • Attempts to resolve ecological responsibility through strict localism often risk sliding into cultural provincialism or nationalist enclosure—fantasies of purity that ignore how deeply entangled our lives already are.
    — Manuela Moscoso, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Daily fantasy sports players draft rosters of athletes competing that day, stake money and win cash prizes based on the athletes’ real-life performances.
    — Michael Delayo, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of fantasy
Noun
  • Pregnancy is a time of excitement and anticipation, and mothers-to-be are often brimming with questions, many of them, unfortunately, based on myth and superstition.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
  • While Zendaya and Roach are clearly spreading the four-part superstition across multiple looks, brides have often incorporated the old, new, borrowed and blue into a single wedding day outfit.
    — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of superstition
Noun
  • The family car is a Mazda, but Zac daydreams of a Bugatti Veyron.
    — Frank Langfitt, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
  • More than masturbatory daydreams, Vladimir inspires our heroine to write with abandon, ignoring professional and personal obligations in service to her muse.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
Definition of daydream
Noun
  • One in four children has vision problems that directly impact academic performance, according to the American Optometric Association.
    — Christina Mayo, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
  • That vision of worldwide economic and cultural interdependence that enabled the proliferation of biennials in the ’90s has been steadily eroding amid the recent rise in nativism and far-right movements in the United States and Europe.
    — Smooth Nzewi, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of vision

Browse Nearby Words

deluging
delusion
delusional
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Cite this Entry

“Delusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delusion. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on delusion

Nglish: Translation of delusion for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about delusion

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