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

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 hallucination But the top models are still prone to AI hallucinations, according to a July 2024 study from Cornell, the University of Washington and the University of Waterloo — meaning even the top AI platforms still create false information out of thin air. —

Liam Reilly, CNN, 30 Jan. 2025 On Thursday, Anthropic announced Citations, a new API feature that helps Claude models avoid confabulations (also called hallucinations) by linking their responses directly to source documents. —

Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 24 Jan. 2025 However, early user feedback suggests inconsistent performance and a higher frequency of hallucinations compared to previous iterations like ChatGPT. —

Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 24 Jan. 2025 Risk And Trust Barrier Organizations face substantial liability risks from AI errors and hallucinations—instances where AI generates convincing but false or fabricated information—which can damage brand reputation and customer trust. —

Shivangi Khurania, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for hallucination

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hallucination

Noun

Your illusion of righteousness only fuels my authenticity.

— Natasha Dye, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025
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