hallucination

noun

hə-ˌlü-sə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce hallucination (audio)
Definition of hallucinationnext
1
as in dream
a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality were the voices real, or merely a hallucination?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delusion
a false idea or belief the common hallucination that gluttony during the holiday season doesn't have consequences

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun hallucination contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hallucination are delusion, illusion, and mirage. While all these words mean "something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal," hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs.

suffered from terrifying hallucinations

When is it sensible to use delusion instead of hallucination?

The words delusion and hallucination are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 illusion be used instead of hallucination?

Although the words illusion and hallucination have much in common, illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines.

an illusion of safety

When is mirage a more appropriate choice than hallucination?

While in some cases nearly identical to hallucination, 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 hallucination An episode of septicemia, with its hells and paradises, its nightmares and hallucinations, transforms Borges into a story writer. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 In another blow to Clancy's defense, prosecutors asked psychologist Kirk Heilbrun whether someone hearing a command hallucination could still conform their conduct to the law. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Saathoff said that fact that Ativan, which is not an anti-psychotic drug, helped Clancy lessen her intrusive thoughts pointed to the them not being hallucinations and just her thoughts. — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 26 Aug. 2026 Saathoff pointed out inconsistencies in Clancy's story and said her description of the voice telling her to kill her children was not typical for these kinds of auditory hallucinations. — Nbc News, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hallucination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hallucination
  1. dream
  2. delusion
  3. illusion
  4. myth
  5. daydream
  6. error
  7. vision
  8. fantasy
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
  • Symptoms of postpartum psychosis can include delusions or hallucinations that can prompt suicidal or homicidal action, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • That’s the sign of an overmatched team, and one that should be far, far away from any delusions of postseason grandeur.
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of delusion
Noun
  • The result is an illusion of depth that ultimately spits out the exact same generic, corner-cutting structure.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Gillian Jacobs as Jerri Dougan Gerry was the starting quarterback for the Catfish at the beginning of the first season until Danny (Frankie Rodriguez) — the school mascot who helps turn Russ into Chad and keep up his illusion — trips him.
    — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 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
  • 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
  • After a stellar start with just one error in 14 games, Lombard has now committed an error in six consecutive games.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Dylan Beavers drove in Mayo with a two-out single and Taveras scored on a fielding error by Lopez for a 2-0 lead.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of error
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
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

Browse Nearby Words

hallucinating
hallucination
hallucinations
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on hallucination

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hallucination

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