illusory

adjective

il·​lu·​so·​ry i-ˈlü-sə-rē How to pronounce illusory (audio) -ˈlü-zə- How to pronounce illusory (audio)
-ˈlüs-,
-ˈlüz-
Synonyms of illusorynext
: based on or producing illusion : deceptive
illusory hopes
illusorily
i-ˈlü-sə-rə-lē How to pronounce illusory (audio)
-ˈlü-zə-;
-ˈlüs-
-ˈlüz-
adverb
illusoriness
i-ˈlü-sə-rē-nəs How to pronounce illusory (audio)
-ˈlü-zə-;
-ˈlüs-
-ˈlüz-
noun
Choose the Right Synonym for illusory

apparent, illusory, seeming, ostensible mean not actually being what appearance indicates.

apparent suggests appearance to unaided senses that may or may not be borne out by more rigorous examination or greater knowledge.

the apparent cause of the accident

illusory implies a false impression based on deceptive resemblance or faulty observation, or influenced by emotions that prevent a clear view.

an illusory sense of security

seeming implies a character in the thing observed that gives it the appearance, sometimes through intent, of something else.

the seeming simplicity of the story

ostensible suggests a discrepancy between an openly declared or naturally implied aim or reason and the true one.

the ostensible reason for their visit

Examples of illusory in a Sentence

an illusory sense of security
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The Sun in your 1st House of the Self is shying away from illusory Neptune in your 7th House of Interdependence, which can create all sorts of confusion with the important people in your life. —Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2024 Fazio has grappled with that challenge while studying the illusory truth effect: how repeating something that is false will make a person more likely to believe it. —Bykai Kupferschmidt, science.org, 31 Oct. 2024 The auction prices and the professorships and even the art hanging on the wall by now seemed illusory. —Joseph Bien-Kahn, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2024 Like the existence of the three candidates themselves, however, the planets’ super-Mars statuses could be illusory. —John Wenz, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for illusory 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1631, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of illusory was circa 1631

Dictionary Entries Near illusory

illusive

illusory

illusory appointment

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Illusory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illusory. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

illusory

adjective
il·​lu·​so·​ry il-ˈüs-(ə-)rē How to pronounce illusory (audio)
-ˈüz-
: based on or producing illusion : deceptive
an illusory hope

Medical Definition

illusory

adjective
il·​lu·​so·​ry il-ˈüs-(ə-)rē How to pronounce illusory (audio) -ˈüz- How to pronounce illusory (audio)
: based on or producing illusion : being deceptive
the search for the ultimate cure-all for a hangover has proved illusory—M. L. Herndon

Legal Definition

illusory

adjective
il·​lu·​so·​ry i-ˈlü-sə-rē, -zə-rē How to pronounce illusory (audio)
: likely to mislead or deceive : false, deceptive
an illusory plea bargain leading to a longer sentence than expected
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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