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
Mercury in retrograde is an optical illusion without consequences for us and our planet.
—
Jamie Carter, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024
Jupiter turns retrograde on Oct. 9 and will last through Feb. 4, 2024, an astrological period that is intense in the cosmos and an astronomical period that is an optical illusion from our perspective on Earth.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024
Starting August 5th, the planet of communication will be traveling in reverse motion (this is an optical illusion, but the influence is profoundly felt by all zodiac signs).
—Dossé-Via Trenou, refinery29.com, 30 July 2024
Nothing actually changes in space: the concept is actually one giant optical illusion.
—Austin American-Statesman, 6 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Jamie Carter, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024
Jupiter turns retrograde on Oct. 9 and will last through Feb. 4, 2024, an astrological period that is intense in the cosmos and an astronomical period that is an optical illusion from our perspective on Earth.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024
Starting August 5th, the planet of communication will be traveling in reverse motion (this is an optical illusion, but the influence is profoundly felt by all zodiac signs).
—Dossé-Via Trenou, refinery29.com, 30 July 2024
Nothing actually changes in space: the concept is actually one giant optical illusion.
—Austin American-Statesman, 6 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optical illusion
Noun
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Again and again, the fantasies that fueled Trump’s candidacy are colliding with the reality of his presidency, and the result is already dispelling the illusions of many who advocated for him.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2025
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The panic party was a dangerous gamble designed to support the illusion that a ship had been abandoned.—
Sean Kingsley,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But as Variety reports, the now A-list cast is busy with other projects, the character arcs reportedly have to be reworked to accommodate a time jump, and a production start date is but a pipe dream in Sam Levinson’s head.—
Zoe Guy,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2025
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Focus on #repair Or maybe Trump believes his pipe dream might convince the reluctant Netanyahu to continue to the next phases of the U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire.—
Trudy Rubin,
Twin Cities,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
An iconic apex predator appeared through thick fog like an apparition and cautiously watched a photographer in Yellowstone National Park, stunning video shows.—
Brooke Baitinger,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Feb. 2025
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Narrow beams of sunlight illuminate the torched frame of a single chair – like an apparition of the torturer who once stood there.—
Scott Peterson,
The Christian Science Monitor,
31 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optical%20illusion. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.
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