delusive

[ dih-loo-siv ]

/ dɪˈlu sɪv /

tending to delude; misleading; deceptive: a delusive reply.

of the nature of a delusion; false; unreal: a delusive belief.

Nearby words

Also de·lu·so·ry

[dih-loo-suh-ree] /dɪˈlu sə ri/.

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

Related forms

de·lu·sive·ly, adverbde·lu·sive·ness, nounnon·de·lu·sive, adjectiveun·de·lu·sive, adjective

un·de·lu·sive·ly, adverbun·de·lu·sive·ness, nounun·de·lu·so·ry, adjective

And the feelings of security provided by guns may be delusive.
David's Bookclub: Private Guns, Public Health|David Frum|March 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The question is: Will those negotiations be real and productive or — as the Iranians must hope — delusive and manipulative?
Netanyahu's Timetable|David Frum|May 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
So it is with wind and solar today, and the president is engaging in delusive political practice by suggesting otherwise.
Now the Bad Bits|David Frum|January 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
For those who are labouring under the delusive charms of brute-force, this picture is not overdrawn.
Indian Home Rule|M. K. Gandhi

She had never put on mourning for her husband, always cherishing the delusive hope that he would some day return.
Johnny Ludlow, Third Series|Mrs. Henry Wood
In these days there hath arisen a delusive hope as to infants.
Mr. Claghorn's Daughter|Hilary Trent
An answer in words is delusive; it is really no answer to the questions you ask.
Essays, First Series|Ralph Waldo Emerson
Shortly before receiving my letter, he witnessed an uncontrollable outbreak of anger and delusive jealousy in an insane lady.
The Expression of Emotion in Man and Animals|Charles Darwin

adj.

c.1600; see delusion + -ive.