delusion
noun
de·lu·sion
di-ˈlü-zhən 
dē-
1
a
: something that is falsely or delusively believed or propagated
under the delusion that they will finish on schedule
delusions of grandeur
b
psychology
: a persistent false psychotic belief regarding the self or persons or objects outside the self that is maintained despite indisputable evidence to the contrary
the delusion that someone was out to hurt him
also
: the abnormal state marked by such beliefs
2
: the act of tricking or deceiving someone : the state of being deluded
… accused the Bohemian of having practised the most abominable arts of delusion among the younger brethren.—
Walter Scott
Walter ScottExamples of delusion in a Sentence
He has delusions about how much money he can make at that job.
He is living under the delusion that he is incapable of making mistakes.
She is under the delusion that we will finish on time.
As the illness progressed, his delusions took over and he had violent outbursts.
Recent Examples on the Web
The guests are just monkeys with delusions of grandeur and civilization.
—Joe Joyce, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
The series, produced by AMC Studios, is set within the delusion bubble of Silicon Valley.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
But poor casting was only half of it — Charles Walters' 1955 adaptation unfortunately reimagines the heroine as an irascible antisocial brat with delusions of grandeur, all explained away by bizarre contemporary psychoanalysis provided in voice-over.
—EW.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Parents or caregivers may witness erratic or dangerous behaviors in children experiencing delusions or hallucinations (sensing something that does not exist).6
20.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for delusion
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Joe Joyce, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
The series, produced by AMC Studios, is set within the delusion bubble of Silicon Valley.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
But poor casting was only half of it — Charles Walters' 1955 adaptation unfortunately reimagines the heroine as an irascible antisocial brat with delusions of grandeur, all explained away by bizarre contemporary psychoanalysis provided in voice-over.
—EW.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Parents or caregivers may witness erratic or dangerous behaviors in children experiencing delusions or hallucinations (sensing something that does not exist).6
20.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for delusion
Cite this Entry
“Delusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delusion. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
delusion
noun
de·lu·sion
di-ˈlü-zhən
1
: the act of deluding : the state of being deluded
2
a
: a mistaken or misleading belief
b
: a false belief that persists despite evidence proving it false and occurs especially in some mentally disturbed states
Medical Definition
delusion
noun
de·lu·sion
di-ˈlü-zhən
1
2
: a false belief regarding the self or persons or objects outside the self that persists despite the facts and occurs in some psychotic states compare hallucination sense 1, illusion sense 2a
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