illusory

[ih-loo-suh-ree, -zuh-] / ɪˈlu sə ri, -zə- /

ADJECTIVE

deceptive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

false hallucinatory misleading unreal whimsical

WEAK

Barmecidal apparent blue-sky chimerical deceitful delusive delusory fallacious fanciful fantastic fictional fictitious fictive float ideal illusive imaginary mistaken ostensible pipe dream seeming semblant sham suppositious supposititious untrue visionary

Antonyms

STRONGEST

genuine honest real truthful

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.

But these contracts only make sense if you need to squeeze the most income out of your savings, and for those in that situation, full “control” over their money is largely illusory.

From MarketWatch

The tax would even be levied on illusory assets.

From The Wall Street Journal

The FTC’s claimed benefits “are illusory or, at least, unsubstantiated,” he wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal

But many experts caution that predictions of communist rule ending have proved illusory.

From Los Angeles Times

The market response to his April 2025 “liberation” tariffs was so negative that the President quickly withdrew them and negotiated lower tariffs as part of “trade deals” that may turn out to be partly illusory.

From The Wall Street Journal

illusory

Example Sentences

Related Words