Synonyms of optical illusion

optical illusion

noun

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

• illusion
• pipe dream
• fantasm
• apparition
• chimera
• phantasy
• ignis fatuus
• mirage
• idea
• unreality
• daydream
• fiction
• delusion
• dream
• imaging
• hallucination
• figment
• fantasy
• vision
• phantasm
• fabrication
• conceit
• will-o'-the-wisp
• brainchild
• concoction
• nonentity
• visualization
• fancy
• invention
• appearance
• cloudland
• envisaging
• utopia
• nightmare
• fable
• creativity
• mind's eye
• inventiveness
• Shangri-la
• ideation
• originality
• imaginativeness
• contrivance
• daymare

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fact
• reality
• actuality

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of optical illusion

On social media, it’s been described as grandma’s bathroom tile floor, an optical illusion and a magic eye poster. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2025

When viewing the artwork, the colors vibrate and create an optical illusion. —Lisa Kocay, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

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