illusionary

American  

[ih-loo-zhuh-ner-ee] / ɪˈlu ʒəˌnɛr i /

Also illusional

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by illusions; deceptive; misleading.

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Other Word Forms

• nonillusional
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of illusionary

First recorded in 1885–90; illusion + -ary

Example Sentences

All these illusionary names are what tort lawyers call attractive nuisances, enticing but dangerous.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 12, 2025

As top computer scientists have warned us, those algorithms are capable of remarkably inexplicable mistakes and, to use the AI term of the moment, "hallucinations" — that is, seemingly reasonable results that are entirely illusionary.

From Salon • Jul. 15, 2023

The four decades of failure of this organization, with the occasional illusionary success mixed in, has left Washington basketball fans disgusted — if they care that much anymore.

From Washington Times • Apr. 20, 2023

The magic of Del Toro's work is that things aren't as they appear; the illusionary has the poignancy and substance of the real, much like the nightmares of a child.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2018

Leo remembered all too well how she’d led him through the illusionary maze in the House of Hades.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan