illusory

[ih-loo-suh-ree, -zuh-]

adjective

1. causing illusion; deceptive; misleading.

   Synonyms: false, specious, fallacious

2. of the nature of an illusion; unreal.

   Synonyms: fancied, visionary, imaginary

illusory

/ ɪˈluːsərɪ, ɪˈluːsɪv /

adjective

1. producing, produced by, or based on illusion; deceptive or unreal

Usage

Illusive is sometimes wrongly used where elusive is meant: they fought hard, but victory remained elusive (not illusive )

Other Word Forms

• illusoriness noun
• illusorily adverb
• unillusory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of illusory¹

1590–1600; < Late Latin illūsōrius, equivalent to illūd ( ere ) to mock, ridicule ( illusion ) + -tōrius -tory ¹

Example Sentences

If it turns out progress was illusory we will at least have reacquainted ourselves with what optimism in the Mideast feels like—it feels energetic, like something that can get you through the next day.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The participants genuinely looked determined to work out compromises that only a few weeks ago appeared illusory.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He rode into office on his illusory reputation as a dealmaker, vowing to settle the wars in Ukraine and Gaza within the first day or the first week or in any case very soon.

Read more on Salon

Your song “The Outside” on this new record talks about the illusory nature of happiness and success.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The report says many hundreds of people were wrongly convicted of criminal offences, and thousands were held responsible for losses that were illusory.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• false 
• hallucinatory 
• misleading 
• unreal 
• whimsical