illusory
UK: ɪˈluːsəri | US: ɪˈluːsəri
adj. deceptive or misleading; based on illusion
adj. not real, though seeming to be
The word "illusory" stems from the Latin illusus, the past participle of illudere ("to mock, deceive"), combining in- (upon) + ludere ("to play"). The root ludere also gives rise to words like "ludicrous" (playfully absurd) and "delude" (to deceive). Over time, illus- evolved to denote deception or false appearances, while the suffix -ory (from Latin -orius) forms adjectives meaning "relating to." Thus, "illusory" literally means "relating to deception," capturing its modern sense of something that seems real but isn’t.
The magician’s tricks created an illusory sense of floating in midair.
His promises of quick wealth proved entirely illusory.
The oasis in the desert was merely an illusory mirage.
She chased the illusory dream of perfection, only to find exhaustion.
The politician’s arguments were based on illusory statistics.