DELUSION Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'delusion' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of delusion are hallucination , illusion , and mirage . While all these words mean "something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal," delusion implies an inability to distinguish between what is real and what only seems to be real, often as the result of a disordered state of mind. // delusions of persecution

Q: When can 'hallucination' be used instead of 'delusion'?

While in some cases nearly identical to delusion , hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs. // suffered from terrifying hallucinations

Q: Where would 'illusion' be a reasonable alternative to 'delusion'?

The synonyms illusion and delusion are sometimes interchangeable, but illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines. // an illusion of safety

Q: When is it sensible to use 'mirage' instead of 'delusion'?

The words mirage and delusion can be used in similar contexts, but mirage in its extended sense applies to an illusory vision, dream, hope, or aim. // claimed a balanced budget is a mirage

delusion

noun

di-ˈlü-zhən

Definition of delusion

as in illusion

a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality her idea that her new man is a long lost prince is surely just a delusion

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in myth

a false idea or belief he appears to suffer from the delusion that he's the best reporter in the business

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

truth
verity

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun delusion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of delusion are hallucination, illusion, and mirage. While all these words mean "something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal," delusion implies an inability to distinguish between what is real and what only seems to be real, often as the result of a disordered state of mind.

delusions of persecution

When can hallucination be used instead of delusion?

While in some cases nearly identical to delusion, hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs.

suffered from terrifying hallucinations

Where would illusion be a reasonable alternative to delusion?

The synonyms illusion and delusion are sometimes interchangeable, but illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines.

an illusion of safety

When is it sensible to use mirage instead of delusion?

The words mirage and delusion can be used in similar contexts, but mirage in its extended sense applies to an illusory vision, dream, hope, or aim.

claimed a balanced budget is a mirage

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 delusion Iran refers to Trump’s ‘delusion’ about the strait Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi appeared to respond to Trump’s post on social media depicting the strait as American territory. — Samy Magdy, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026 Songs about heartbreak and toxic relationship cycles are precise and lucid, even in their delusions. — Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026 The mortals would rather live in their own delusion than confront the magic that drifts among them. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026 Saturday in Chicago, once again, showcased the harsh reality that the opposition to Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is rooted in hate, intolerance, and delusion. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for delusion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for delusion

Noun

This is the illusion that the Rankine of Triage has abandoned.

— Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
The illusion of molten steel was basically water and mineral oil mixed with a little powdered sugar; creative lighting and heaters placed below the cameras—plus a few CGI sparks in the background—did the rest.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of illusion

Noun

Visitors are invited to travel across time and place to notice how societies around the world tended to weave similar, parallel myths.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
But cultural myths and urban legends have also stereotyped them into Halloween mascots, demonic beings and carriers of diseases.

— Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of myth

Noun

Meanwhile, the Young Bucks will challenge Adam Copeland and Christian Cage for the AEW World Tag Team Championship in a dream match between teams from different generations.

— Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Pop, in making his dream a reality, became a hero and a torchbearer.

— Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of dream

Noun

Young people want movies and TV shows that reflect their own lives and relatable issues, rather than more stories in the fantasy genre, according to last year’s annual Teens and Screens report from the Center for Scholars and Storytellers at UCLA.

— Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
The two companies have joined forces to form ProgCore Press, which will focus on fantasy and roleplaying games and sit within Gungnir’s suite of publishing businesses.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of fantasy

Noun

The accessory has become a superstition for fans believing that the purse — which has since sold out on the Woods by Jordyn website — was partly responsible for bringing the New York City team to the NBA Finals and its first win in over 50 years.

— Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026
For some brides, cultural superstitions add yet another complicated layer to the nuptial-planning process.

— Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of superstition

Noun

The next day, Luwi had a similar daydream, but this time the disapproving patriarch was Gajdusek.

— Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
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.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 June 2026

Definition of daydream

Noun

Roman will also detect exoplanets using the tried-and-true transit method, but scientists expect the new telescope to find a lot more than past space missions have, thanks to its wider vision.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
The immigrant entrepreneurs often offered their families and young customers an idealized vision of American life.

— Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of vision

Browse Nearby Words

deluging

delusion

delusional

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delusional; audaciously self-confident

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“Delusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delusion. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of delusion

noun

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Example Sentences

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delulu

Delusion vs. Hallucination: An...

'Allusion' vs. 'Illusion'

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