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.
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Recent Examples of optical illusion
When viewing the artwork, the colors vibrate and create an optical illusion.
—
Lisa Kocay, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Day and night aren't exactly 12 hours on the day of the equinox because the Earth's atmosphere refracts, or bends, light in an optical illusion that brings more daylight than there really is.
—Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2025
Rag & Bone’s revolutionary printing technique, Miramar, creates an optical illusion that makes any material look like denim.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 14 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Lisa Kocay, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Day and night aren't exactly 12 hours on the day of the equinox because the Earth's atmosphere refracts, or bends, light in an optical illusion that brings more daylight than there really is.
—Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2025
Rag & Bone’s revolutionary printing technique, Miramar, creates an optical illusion that makes any material look like denim.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 14 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optical illusion
Noun
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The show consisted of several live-feed illusions, ecological sculptures, and installations using organic materials, lighting, and sound.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2025
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According to the documentary, De Beers created an illusion of diamond scarcity by controlling supply and demand.—
Garth Friesen,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Olga and Antoine’s grand schemes of rural regeneration have proved to be a lefty pipe dream.—
Bartolomeo Sala,
The Dial,
27 Mar. 2025
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While federal banking reform was a step forward, full legalization remains a pipe dream.—
Matt Rozo,
The Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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For much of its history, the Church has had to defend itself against accusations that levitations, apparitions, and other miracles were not the work of God but that of the devil.—
Emily Harnett,
Harpers Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
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Todd, the neighbor, even the strange apparitions are obfuscated simply because of their height, which adds to the eerieness of Indy’s experience but also makes Indy’s recognition of Todd’s voice all the more emotional.—
Rafael Motamayor,
IndieWire,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optical%20illusion. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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