as in imaginary
formal
based on something that is not true or real; based on an illusion
an illusory hope an illusory sense of security
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illusory
Romance can be illusory while Mercury joins Neptune.
—
Usa Today, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
Naysayers insisted that increasing content costs would match the company’s rapid topline and subscriber growth, and profits would prove illusory.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
Trump, in this view, inherited an economy in which a seemingly healthy job market is, in fact, illusory.
—Neil Irwin, Axios, 9 Mar. 2025
And cost savings has been illusory.
—Howard Gleckman, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illusory
Usa Today, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
Naysayers insisted that increasing content costs would match the company’s rapid topline and subscriber growth, and profits would prove illusory.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
Trump, in this view, inherited an economy in which a seemingly healthy job market is, in fact, illusory.
—Neil Irwin, Axios, 9 Mar. 2025
And cost savings has been illusory.
—Howard Gleckman, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illusory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusory
Adjective
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But what were his motivations for the sculptural cut that reduced the body by a third, literally disabling all of the fetish’s functions except for those of its primary feature, the design, thereby intensifying it, endowing it even with an imaginary, almost futuristic acceleration?—
Benjamin H. D. Buchloh,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
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Dairy farmers should not be the villains in an imaginary climate change narrative - they should be respected as part of the backbone of our state's rural economy and heritage.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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People on social media have been commenting about the idea of only one person surviving the crash, calling it unreal, remarkable, a work of divine intervention, and a miracle.—
Lisa Baumann,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2025
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The Antigua and Barbuda Culinary month and the energy surrounding it, is just one example of how one small place can create a powerful, reverberating experience that goes well beyond those unreal sunsets and too beautiful blue waters.—
Kristin L. Wolfe,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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They were paid lower prices for their almonds because of a lingering surplus from 2020 — which had seen ideal weather for pollination, and record yields.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
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This is followed by Mercury and Jupiter entering your sign on June 8 and 9, boosting everything from your communication skills to your innate receptivity, which is ideal for manifesting your ideal partner.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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With one technique, for example—called imaginal exposure—you might be asked to visualize the process of going to the airport, boarding the plane, and experiencing a bad bout of turbulence.—
Angela Haupt,
TIME,
10 May 2024
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Mercury entering into Pisces turns up the imaginal juice.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
23 Feb. 2024
Adjective
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Khamenei’s zealotry is very unlikely to outlive him in Iran’s highest echelons of power.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
12 June 2025
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Again, some of it was unlikely Doobie Brothers stuff, but the band had to think of something to do in Tom’s absence.—
Steve Bloom,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illusory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusory. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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