1
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
2
as in delusion
a false idea or belief
he had no illusions about how much effort and money the renovation project would require
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illusion
After debuting on the West End in 2023, the play, which is a prequel to the blockbuster Netflix show, took Broadway by storm and received five Tony nominations, including a special award for its illusions and technical effects.
—
Jordan Moreau, Variety, 2 June 2025
Be mindful of illusions, too, as Jupiter will eventually clash with Saturn and Neptune.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 June 2025
Trying to create an illusion of occupancy, owners often left them brightly lit at night, which only further exposed floor upon floor with no people, no desks, and a dark future.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 29 May 2025
The athlete and 2023 U.S. Open champion’s kit featured a marbled illusion fabric in shades of dark blue set against a muted purple tone.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for illusion
Jordan Moreau, Variety, 2 June 2025
Be mindful of illusions, too, as Jupiter will eventually clash with Saturn and Neptune.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 June 2025
Trying to create an illusion of occupancy, owners often left them brightly lit at night, which only further exposed floor upon floor with no people, no desks, and a dark future.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 29 May 2025
The athlete and 2023 U.S. Open champion’s kit featured a marbled illusion fabric in shades of dark blue set against a muted purple tone.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusion
Noun
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Produced by Jao Beats, with a soft melody that accompanies his heartfelt interpretation, the artist reflects on his humble origins and expresses gratitude for living what was once just a dream.—
Luisa Calle,
Billboard,
13 June 2025
-
For now, there are dreams living inside her notebook.—
Èlia Borràs,
Christian Science Monitor,
13 June 2025
Noun
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Although she was never formally diagnosed, E.A. believes Lewes may have experienced bipolar disorder, marked by episodes of extreme paranoia and delusions, which became more frequent as time went on.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
5 June 2025
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Valerie often allowed her vanity and delusion to stand in her way, but also has a certain purity in her desire for mainstream success; viewers on the show’s wavelength might alternately cringe, laugh and feel deeply for her over the course of just a few minutes.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Set to John Kander and Fred Ebb's award-winning score, the trailer offers a glimpse at the film’s blend of gritty realism and old-Hollywood fantasy.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
5 June 2025
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Her big-screen debut came in 1985 in Ridley Scott's Legend, a fantasy film that also starred Tom Cruise and Tim Curry.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
The myth had inspired many works by Old Masters, including several paintings by Titian.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
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The line between the reality and the myth becomes blurred, and this confusion continues to harm women, especially those who are isolated and silenced.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
8 June 2025
Noun
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Each room was designed to feel like a small private home, complete with its own terrace, living, and dining spaces—and indeed my suite, retro yet refined, felt straight out of Don Draper’s West Coast daydream.—
Elise Taylor,
Vogue,
24 Apr. 2025
-
After a few episodes, Tim stopped checking in with his lawyer and his employees and started escaping into whiskey, pills and suicidal daydreams.—
Noel Murray,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The government has admitted in court that his deportation was an administrative error.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
7 June 2025
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At least some of the errors produced by his code can be traced to using older versions of OpenAI models available through the VA — models not capable of solving complex tasks, according to the experts consulted by ProPublica.—
Brandon Roberts,
ProPublica,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Ultimately, much may depend on their vision for Nwaneri’s and Dowman’s ultimate positions — and the outcome of he former’s contract negotiations.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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The expansion all ladders up to Leahy’s vision for the brand.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
5 June 2025
Noun
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An eerie sense of unreality runs through The Plague, which premiered at Cannes in the Un Certain Regard sidebar.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2025
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The movie itself is something of a trip; everything feels coated in a faint, menacing sheen of unreality, as if a slasher movie were just a wild twist or two away.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusion. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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