ILLUSORY Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'illusory' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of illusory are apparent , ostensible , and seeming . While all these words mean "not actually being what appearance indicates," illusory implies a false impression based on deceptive resemblance or faulty observation, or influenced by emotions that prevent a clear view. // an illusory sense of security

Q: When is 'apparent' a more appropriate choice than 'illusory'?

The synonyms apparent and illusory are sometimes interchangeable, but apparent suggests appearance to unaided senses that may or may not be borne out by more rigorous examination or greater knowledge. // the apparent cause of the accident

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ostensible' instead of 'illusory'?

The meanings of ostensible and illusory largely overlap; however, ostensible suggests a discrepancy between an openly declared or naturally implied aim or reason and the true one. // the ostensible reason for their visit

Q: When could 'seeming' be used to replace 'illusory'?

While the synonyms seeming and illusory are close in meaning, seeming implies a character in the thing observed that gives it the appearance, sometimes through intent, of something else. // the seeming simplicity of the story

illusory

adjective

Definition of illusory next

as in imaginary

formal based on something that is not true or real; based on an illusion an illusory hope an illusory sense of security

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How does the adjective illusory contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of illusory are apparent, ostensible, and seeming. While all these words mean "not actually being what appearance indicates," illusory implies a false impression based on deceptive resemblance or faulty observation, or influenced by emotions that prevent a clear view.

an illusory sense of security

When is apparent a more appropriate choice than illusory?

The synonyms apparent and illusory are sometimes interchangeable, but apparent suggests appearance to unaided senses that may or may not be borne out by more rigorous examination or greater knowledge.

the apparent cause of the accident

When is it sensible to use ostensible instead of illusory?

The meanings of ostensible and illusory largely overlap; however, ostensible suggests a discrepancy between an openly declared or naturally implied aim or reason and the true one.

the ostensible reason for their visit

When could seeming be used to replace illusory?

While the synonyms seeming and illusory are close in meaning, seeming implies a character in the thing observed that gives it the appearance, sometimes through intent, of something else.

the seeming simplicity of the story

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of illusory Ahlgren’s recent sentencing of 27-months in prison should stand as a stark reminder that the promise of anonymity in the digital world is often illusory—and untraceable laundering strategies, more often than not, prove to be anything but. —

Andrew Leahey, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024 Matt Angle, a Texas Democratic operative active in several congressional campaigns and other races dating back more than three decades, said much of the Republican gains in South Texas are illusory. —

John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 29 Feb. 2024 The Sun in your 1st House of the Self is shying away from illusory Neptune in your 7th House of Interdependence, which can create all sorts of confusion with the important people in your life. —

Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2024 Fazio has grappled with that challenge while studying the illusory truth effect: how repeating something that is false will make a person more likely to believe it. —

Bykai Kupferschmidt, science.org, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for illusory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusory

Adjective

The feature, from experimental filmmaker Matthew Rankin, is an absurdist comedy set in an imaginary Canada where French and Farsi are the country’s two official languages.

Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2025
Advertisement Since Southern California was located somewhere near 6:30 on this imaginary clock face, the result was winds traveling from east to west — the opposite of their normal direction.

Ned Kleiner, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025