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.
Defenders of the policy point to waiver provisions as evidence of the new policy's flexibility, but closer examination reveals these waivers to be illusory. — Carlos Del Toro, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025 Ever since the end of World War II, a long parade of American presidents saw first the Soviet Union and then, after a brief and illusory interregnum, its successor Russia as a force to be wary of, at the very least. — Peter Baker, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025 The illusion of a causal connection People tend to form illusory correlations between objects, people, occurrences or behaviors, particularly when those things are infrequently encountered. — Julia Standefer, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2025 Here, the New York scenes are far too glum to coexist with the breezy maneuvering that’s happening in the present, and giving the lead an illusory disabled brother to talk to from time to time feels like the worst version of a wannabe Shyamalan twist. — Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2025 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

Rhymes for illusory

See All Rhymes for illusory

Browse Nearby Words

illusive
illusory
illusory appointment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Illusory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illusory. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on illusory

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for illusory

Nglish: Translation of illusory for Spanish Speakers

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