Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of delusive
First recorded in 1595–1605; delus(ion) + -ive
Explanation
If you are a C student, and your guidance counselor tells you to apply to MIT and Harvard, his advice may be delusive, or not based in fact, giving a false impression. Your delusive hopes might tempt you to look away from reality, but if you believe delusive statements, you are deluded. What you believe in might be called a delusion. All of these words come from the Latin deludere which means "to play false, deceive." Also related to this word: Ludicrous. When you fall for a delusive idea, you are sometimes seen as ludicrous.
Vocabulary lists containing delusive
"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" by Patrick Henry (1775)
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Speech to the Virginia Convention
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A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
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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.
Of all the pow'rs of Heav'n, my mother most Hath wrong'd me, who hath buoy'd me up with hope Delusive, that, before the walls of Troy, I should by Phoebus' swift-wing'd arrows fall.
From The Iliad by Derby, Edward George Geoffrey Smith Stanley, Earl of
Delusive thought! aloof and dumb, Thou wilt not at a bidding come, Though Royalty command thee.
From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 12, No. 327, August 16, 1828 by Various
I liken this to Hope: although with sorrow The heart is overcast, and dim the eye; Delusive Hope—not present, ever nigh, Presages gladness on a coming morrow, And lures us onward, till our latest sigh.
From Graham's Magazine Vol XXXII. No. 5. May 1848 by Conrad, Robert Taylor
Delusive hope! she quickly rose again; and in an instant, the far-off crashing of the jungle was all that told us of the reality of our late encounter.
From Harper's New Monthly Magazine No. XVI.?September, 1851?Vol. III. by Various
Delusive was that piercing cry,— Some trick of magic by the foe; He has a work,—he cannot die, Beseech me not from hence to go.
From Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan by Dutt, Toru
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
