illusory

American  

[ih-loo-suh-ree, -zuh-] / ɪˈlu sə ri, -zə- /

adjective

1. causing illusion; deceptive; misleading.

   Synonyms:

   false, specious, fallacious

2. of the nature of an illusion; unreal.

   Synonyms:

   fancied, visionary, imaginary

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illusory British  

/ ɪˈluːsərɪ, ɪˈluːsɪv /

adjective

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

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Usage

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

Other Word Forms

• illusorily adverb
• illusoriness noun
• unillusory adjective

Etymology

Origin of illusory

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

Example Sentences

But these contracts only make sense if you need to squeeze the most income out of your savings, and for those in that situation, full “control” over their money is largely illusory.

From MarketWatch

The tax would even be levied on illusory assets.

From The Wall Street Journal

The FTC’s claimed benefits “are illusory or, at least, unsubstantiated,” he wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal

But many experts caution that predictions of communist rule ending have proved illusory.

From Los Angeles Times

The market response to his April 2025 “liberation” tariffs was so negative that the President quickly withdrew them and negotiated lower tariffs as part of “trade deals” that may turn out to be partly illusory.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• false
• hallucinatory
• misleading
• unreal
• whimsical