delusive

[ dih-loo-siv ]

adjective

1. tending to delude; misleading; deceptive:

   a delusive reply.

2. of the nature of a delusion; false; unreal:

   a delusive belief.

Other Words From

• de·lusive·ly adverb
• de·lusive·ness noun
• nonde·lusive adjective
• unde·lusive adjective
• unde·lusive·ly adverb
• unde·lusive·ness noun
• unde·luso·ry adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of delusive¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; delus(ion) + -ive

Example Sentences

His Willy, a salesman aggressively trapped in a delusive way of thinking, would rather die a martyr than admit to being sold a bill of goods about success.

From Los Angeles Times

“My delusive longing to sense some genuine vestige of this woman has culminated in the awareness that she’s no longer present anywhere, except in my imagination.”

From New York Times

Often intertwined with economic and social resentments, demonization of Jews was long part of Christian tradition, and, with the growth of European nationalism in the 19th century, it took on delusive notions of race.

From New York Times

“When they are trying to persuade the region that they are competent to fulfill its development dreams, they are misrepresenting themselves with a delusive promise of an ‘alternative model.’”

From Washington Times

After all, if the world and the self are illusions, it is delusive to believe that they can be redeemed.

From The New Yorker