optical illusion

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

By presenting Satan's fall as a violent physical event instead of a purely spiritual allegory or optical illusion, Dante may have helped move Western thought toward the idea that celestial objects can directly reshape Earth.

From Science Daily • May 11, 2026

It is actually something of an optical illusion, for the options are not getting more expensive in terms of price as the earnings date approaches, but in fact are remaining the same.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

Doing something your brain tells you is structurally impossible was like inhabiting an optical illusion and we all laughed as we scaled the multi-tiered falls with the occasional assistance of a tethered rope.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026

Roads officials said an "optical illusion appeared to have been created when the footway was extended next to the cycle lane".

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2025

He had thought they were following a path, but now that he tried to see the path, it shimmered, and vanished, like an optical illusion.

From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman