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 Like the existence of the three candidates themselves, however, the planets’ super-Mars statuses could be illusory. —

John Wenz, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2024 In this case, the bendy space-time fabric that surrounds us would be illusory, and the quantum particles on the boundary would be the real stuff of existence. —

Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2024 One study found that more than 70% of the trades at cryptocurrency exchanges not regulated by a state were illusory – involving purchases and then immediate sales to boost artificially the exchanges’ volume of sales. —

Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Sep. 2024 To this end, the West should abandon its policy of patronage and blind support for the bad behavior of regional clients in the name of contending with an illusory Iranian threat. —

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Affairs, 22 Jan. 2021 See all Example Sentences for illusory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illusory

Adjective

Then, as the game clock ticked closer to zero, Young dribbled the clock out, blew in his hand and rolled imaginary die on the massive Knicks’ midcourse logo.

Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 12 Dec. 2024
The outdoor areas –in addition to providing the energetic kids room to run, play and even pedal tricycles around imaginary tracks — are essential parts of the learning experience and development of motor skills.

Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 11 Dec. 2024