Synonyms

deluded

American

[dih-loo-did] / dɪˈlu dɪd /

adjective

entertaining a false belief or opinion; mistaken or deceived in mind or judgment.

While some deluded commentators welcomed this as "fantastic news," the rest of us were seriously upset.

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of delude.

Other Word Forms

nondeluded adjective
undeluded adjective
undeludedly adverb

Etymology

Origin of deluded

delude ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But he is also so paranoid, deluded and consumed with self-loathing that throughout this caustically witty novel we can’t help but root for him every step of the way.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

"They weren't there; they weren't involved in the investigation. Some of these people are deluded," he says.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2025

They’re dismissing those who attend as deluded cultists, hardening hearts on each side even more.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2025

In an early scene, Garrett drives around sobbing to the Skid Row ballad “I Remember You” and you wonder if Hess himself is deluded about what sounds cool to today’s fifth-graders.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2025

I consider that Therese may be deluded, for who would accuse her of such an evil as witchcraft?

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023