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.

Jumping from that, to being given responsibility for a new line from a well-known company, would appear daunting to many, but Hamblin says he is "deluded enough to not really feel the pressure".

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

“Are they bigots? Are they deluded in thinking that they are subjected to unfair competition?”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 13, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2025

At best, they were narrowly competent; at worst, morally compromised and dangerously deluded.

From Salon • Aug. 10, 2025

We were utterly dependent on this man, who was not only deluded and ignorant, but incompetent in every way.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

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