as in illusion
an image that tricks a person's vision
Some may dismiss what we witnessed that night as an optical illusion, but we firmly believe it was a UFO.
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Recent Examples of optical illusion
Starting August 5th, the planet of communication will be traveling in reverse motion (this is an optical illusion, but the influence is profoundly felt by all zodiac signs).
—
Dossé-Via Trenou, refinery29.com, 30 July 2024
Nothing actually changes in space: the concept is actually one giant optical illusion.
—Austin American-Statesman, 6 Apr. 2024
About every two years, Earth overtakes Mars, creating the optical illusion that Mars is moving backward against the backdrop of distant stars.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Of course, the vanishing act is little more than an optical illusion to stargazers on Earth.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 30 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for optical illusion 
Dossé-Via Trenou, refinery29.com, 30 July 2024
Nothing actually changes in space: the concept is actually one giant optical illusion.
—Austin American-Statesman, 6 Apr. 2024
About every two years, Earth overtakes Mars, creating the optical illusion that Mars is moving backward against the backdrop of distant stars.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Of course, the vanishing act is little more than an optical illusion to stargazers on Earth.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 30 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for optical illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optical illusion
Noun
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Your illusion of righteousness only fuels my authenticity.—
Natasha Dye,
People.com,
7 Feb. 2025
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Why deceive the public? Being sold on the illusion of a beautiful new unique structure that will be a great community addition.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But as Variety reports, the now A-list cast is busy with other projects, the character arcs reportedly have to be reworked to accommodate a time jump, and a production start date is but a pipe dream in Sam Levinson’s head.—
Zoe Guy,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2025
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Focus on #repair Or maybe Trump believes his pipe dream might convince the reluctant Netanyahu to continue to the next phases of the U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire.—
Trudy Rubin,
Twin Cities,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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An iconic apex predator appeared through thick fog like an apparition and cautiously watched a photographer in Yellowstone National Park, stunning video shows.—
Brooke Baitinger,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Feb. 2025
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Narrow beams of sunlight illuminate the torched frame of a single chair – like an apparition of the torturer who once stood there.—
Scott Peterson,
The Christian Science Monitor,
31 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near optical illusion
Cite this Entry
“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optical%20illusion. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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