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

And even that 600,000 gain last year could prove illusory once the government updates the data to be more accurate.

From MarketWatch

We eagerly drink in the discord because the stakes are illusory, even if the high-strung emotions turn out to be real.

From Salon

This would neutralize the board’s argument about Paramount’s “illusory” financing.

From MarketWatch

Warner’s rejection had focused on what it had called an “illusory” offer, raising concerns about the credibility of the equity being offered by Paramount.

From The Wall Street Journal

And these numbers are “nominal,” meaning they include the illusory gains that come from inflation.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• false
• hallucinatory
• misleading
• unreal
• whimsical