illusory

[ ih-loo-suh-ree, -zuh- ]

adjective

1. causing illusion; deceptive; misleading.

   Synonyms: false, specious, fallacious

2. of the nature of an illusion; unreal.

   Synonyms: fancied, visionary, imaginary

illusory

/ ɪˈluːsərɪ; ɪˈluːsɪv /

adjective

1. producing, produced by, or based on illusion; deceptive or unreal

Usage

Illusive is sometimes wrongly used where elusive is meant: they fought hard, but victory remained elusive (not illusive )

Derived Forms

• ilˈlusoriness, noun
• ilˈlusorily, adverb

Other Words From

• il·luso·ri·ly adverb
• il·luso·ri·ness noun
• unil·luso·ry adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of illusory¹

1590–1600; < Late Latin illūsōrius, equivalent to illūd ( ere ) to mock, ridicule ( illusion ) + -tōrius -tory ¹

Example Sentences

However, Paul Kohler, the Liberal Democrat MP for Wimbledon, believes the projected benefits are "utterly illusory".

From BBC

But in many cases "the discounts were, in fact, illusory", she added.

From BBC

Cave called from New York to discuss the LP, his attraction to church and the illusory promise of his own sex appeal.

From Los Angeles Times

An illusory reality colors this darkly comic novel by the International Booker Prize winner.

From Los Angeles Times

Frable pointed to a 2019 study that found there was no correlation between an oarfish or other deep-sea fish washing ashore and an ensuing disaster, calling the link a “typical illusory correlation.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• false
• hallucinatory
• misleading
• unreal
• whimsical