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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illusion
Petite travelers will love the mini length, which creates the illusion of longer legs.
—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
1 July 2026
Castro again works with cinematographer Barton Cortright to craft lush images that certainly evoke the illusion of celluloid, lending the movie a nostalgic, charmingly retro take on sexuality and an idyllic view of open-air cruising.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
30 June 2026
Nietzsche says somewhere that the illusion of willpower rests on our tendency to identify with the part of our soul that commands, not the part that obeys.
—
Meghan O’Gieblyn,
Harpers Magazine,
30 June 2026
Presented Out of Competition at the 1967 edition of Venice, Deadly Sweet takes it cue from a brief encounter between a disenchanted man and a girl with no illusions in the wake of the murder of a nightclub owner in London.
—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for illusion
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
1 July 2026
Castro again works with cinematographer Barton Cortright to craft lush images that certainly evoke the illusion of celluloid, lending the movie a nostalgic, charmingly retro take on sexuality and an idyllic view of open-air cruising.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
30 June 2026
Nietzsche says somewhere that the illusion of willpower rests on our tendency to identify with the part of our soul that commands, not the part that obeys.
—
Meghan O’Gieblyn,
Harpers Magazine,
30 June 2026
Presented Out of Competition at the 1967 edition of Venice, Deadly Sweet takes it cue from a brief encounter between a disenchanted man and a girl with no illusions in the wake of the murder of a nightclub owner in London.
—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusion
Noun
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With so much else to rebuild, a baseball season in 2026 seemed like more than a dream.
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Their dream houses have ocean views, swimming pools and four or more bedrooms, which may be hard to find.
Noun
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We are encouraged to indulge our delusions about replacement theory and white male superiority and to surrender to our instincts toward incivility and division.
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As Lines’ delusions calcified, so did ChatGPT’s affirmations.
Noun
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Possibly the biggest Korean release of the summer, this dark fantasy historical thriller stars Nam Joo-hyuk as Gu-cheon, a man who can traverse the world of ghosts, alongside Roh Yoon-seo as Saeng-gang, a court lady carrying a dangerous secret.
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Sometimes that player fantasy can be expressed through a simple toy that just feels good, briefly.
Noun
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Despite numerous myths, a cat's fur color does not impact its personality traits.
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This is myth, and fisheries biologists know that pike do feed during the hot months just as other fish do.
Noun
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Your 10th House of Career and Status receives Jupiter, urging long-range vision and public progress that grows through structure.
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Roman will pair a large field of view with crisp infrared vision to survey deep, vast swaths of sky.
Noun
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Third baseman Ryan McMahon also committed a throwing error, New York's 19th in its last 14 games.
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England is hoping karma is on its side after a famous goal-scoring error sealed a World Cup loss to Argentina 40 years ago at Azteca Stadium.
Noun
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And amidst the momentum of reverie, there’s the line ‘Blink at the light and hope to survive,’ because daydreams in a fascist state can be scary too.
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One-touch passing, feinting and ripping hard shots into a tattered net, each is super-charged by vivid daydreams of glory on the international stage.
Noun
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Christian Science has taught me to base my prayers on the solid spiritual foundation of Jesus’ teachings – namely, the allness and perfection of God and the nothingness or unreality of anything unlike God, good.
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The passion for sports is a matter of its unrealities—its past is more myth than history.
Cite this Entry
“Illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusion. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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