HALLUCINATION Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'hallucination' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hallucination are delusion , illusion , and mirage . While all these words mean "something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal," hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs. // suffered from terrifying hallucinations

Q: When is it sensible to use 'delusion' instead of 'hallucination'?

The words delusion and hallucination are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, delusion implies an inability to distinguish between what is real and what only seems to be real, often as the result of a disordered state of mind. // delusions of persecution

Q: When can 'illusion' be used instead of 'hallucination'?

Although the words illusion and hallucination have much in common, illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines. // an illusion of safety

Q: When is 'mirage' a more appropriate choice than 'hallucination'?

While in some cases nearly identical to hallucination , mirage in its extended sense applies to an illusory vision, dream, hope, or aim. // claimed a balanced budget is a mirage

hallucination

noun

hə-ˌlü-sə-ˈnā-shən

Definition of hallucination next

as in illusion

a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality were the voices real, or merely a hallucination?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in delusion

a false idea or belief the common hallucination that gluttony during the holiday season doesn't have consequences

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

truth
verity

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun hallucination contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hallucination are delusion, illusion, and mirage. While all these words mean "something that is believed to be true or real but that is actually false or unreal," hallucination implies impressions that are the product of disordered senses, as because of mental illness or drugs.

suffered from terrifying hallucinations

When is it sensible to use delusion instead of hallucination?

The words delusion and hallucination are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, delusion implies an inability to distinguish between what is real and what only seems to be real, often as the result of a disordered state of mind.

delusions of persecution

When can illusion be used instead of hallucination?

Although the words illusion and hallucination have much in common, illusion implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines.

an illusion of safety

When is mirage a more appropriate choice than hallucination?

While in some cases nearly identical to hallucination, mirage in its extended sense applies to an illusory vision, dream, hope, or aim.

claimed a balanced budget is a mirage

Examples 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 hallucination Knowledge graphs: • Ensure LLMs pull from factual data, helping to improve accuracy and reduce hallucinations. —

Brian Platz, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Factual accuracy is another issue for AI agents, since they’re built on LLMs that have a problem with hallucinations—the technical term for making things up. —

IEEE Spectrum, 19 Nov. 2024 Nair believes that integrating AI into her company is nonnegotiable, but plans to introduce measures to address biases and hallucinations that continue to plague the technology. —

Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2024 But be warned: Apple is reportedly still working on preventing AI hallucinations. —

Emily Dreibelbis Forlini, PCMAG, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hallucination

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hallucination

Noun

Part of the show’s magic is that performers can literally be anybody or anything and the listener completes the illusion with their mind’s eye.

Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
The illusion of the regime's power was as important to Assad as Saydnaya prison, as the multiple branches of the intelligence services, military brigades and their brutal physical force.

James Longman, ABC News, 10 Dec. 2024