illusory

adjective

Definition of illusorynext
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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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective illusory contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of illusory are apparent, ostensible, and seeming. While all these words mean "not actually being what appearance indicates," 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

When is apparent a more appropriate choice than illusory?

The synonyms apparent and illusory are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

When is it sensible to use ostensible instead of illusory?

The meanings of ostensible and illusory largely overlap; however, ostensible suggests a discrepancy between an openly declared or naturally implied aim or reason and the true one.

the ostensible reason for their visit

When could seeming be used to replace illusory?

While the synonyms seeming and illusory are close in meaning, 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

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 illusory This total has always been an illusory, arbitrary concept, one that may prove unreliable yet again as this captivating relegation battle comes to a close. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026 Although the size of the illusory truth effect diminishes thereafter, each additional encounter further strengthens our perception of a claim’s legitimacy, that study found. — Markham Heid, Time, 28 Apr. 2026 Statisticians call it an illusory correlation, maintaining that proponents perceive a predictive relationship when actually non exists. — Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026 Conversations need grounding as intuitive Moon in your 3rd House of Communication opposes illusory Neptune in your 9th House of Travel and Learning, so facts and visions compete. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for illusory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusory
  1. imaginary
  2. unreal
  3. ideal
  4. imagined
  5. imaginal
  6. unlikely
Adjective
  • Hop aboard an imaginary Vespa, or perhaps a high-speed train eastward to the boot country, where not every meal comes blistering out of a brick oven or ladled from a bubbling pot.
    — Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2026
  • Some rehearse using a bedpan — placing it in the right spot, cleaning out the imaginary contents.
    — Elissa Nadworny, NPR, 30 June 2026
Definition of imaginary
Adjective
  • These digital technologies have also created an echo chamber of self-confirming views, which has contributed to an unreal, simplified view of a nuanced, messy world.
    — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
  • The air is fresh and clean, the pace is calm, and the views are unreal.
    — Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2026
Definition of unreal
Adjective
  • As a bonus, those seasons are ideal for planting a replacement shrub or re-establishing a lawn if it is damaged during the shrub removal.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 July 2026
  • Arc On Ear is designed to combine precision headphone correction with advanced physical modeling to recreate how real studio monitors behave in an ideal acoustic space.
    — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of ideal
Adjective
  • Wealth and social rank, once near the top of any imagined list, have slipped quietly down the rankings.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 June 2026
  • The images and physics of the imagined world around them is added in later.
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of imagined
Adjective
  • Peter [Merry] likes to use is that, when a caterpillar is becoming a butterfly, new ‘imaginal cells’ emerge.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 7 Aug. 2025
  • 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
Definition of imaginal
Adjective
  • Some analysts, however, think a deal is unlikely because the company would not want to be saddled with a broadcast network.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • The motion is unlikely to pass, but indicates how deeply politicized the issue has become.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Definition of unlikely

Browse Nearby Words

illusive
illusory
illustrate
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Cite this Entry

“Illusory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illusory. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of illusory for Spanish Speakers

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