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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 optical illusion
The strapless corset dress was made with a floral bodice, and each flower was crafted out of feathers making for an optical illusion all down the dress, as seen in a video shared by Town and Country.
—
Justine Fisher, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025
On March 23, an optical illusion will make Saturn’s massive rings become nearly invisible for a few days.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025
This psychedelic realm of optical illusions is full of visual and verbal tricks and puns.
—Ben Hatke, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
There are a number of optical illusions that pilots have to account for when flying at night, according to the Federal Aviation Administration’s airplane flying handbook.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Justine Fisher, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025
On March 23, an optical illusion will make Saturn’s massive rings become nearly invisible for a few days.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025
This psychedelic realm of optical illusions is full of visual and verbal tricks and puns.
—Ben Hatke, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
There are a number of optical illusions that pilots have to account for when flying at night, according to the Federal Aviation Administration’s airplane flying handbook.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optical illusion
Noun
-
The wide front porch gives the illusion that the open-plan living and kitchen area extends past the exterior walls, through the (optional) all-glass double doors to the great outdoors.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2025
-
The actress added square-toe boots and wore her blonde hair in a slicked style. 12 of 18 Alessandra Ambrosio For the Balenciaga Paris Fashion Week show, Alessandra Ambrosio opted for a navy blue sweater paired with illusion lingerie on the bottom.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
According to McBride, Cooper’s casting as the brood’s OG ecclesiastic began as a pipe dream.—
Michael Ausiello,
TVLine,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Moore’s win at the 2025 Globes seemed to cinch the narrative: A Best Actress Oscar had gradually gone from pipe dream to the most likely outcome.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
In the writer-director’s latest horror flick, The Monkey, there is no malignant apparition, and death doesn’t lurk or stalk.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Zoe, as an apparition, is both the cause and relief to her pain.—
Jake Coyle,
Boston Herald,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optical%20illusion. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share