optical illusion
noun
plural optical illusions
: a misleading image presented to the vision
Zebras look like optical illusions to me. Which are they—black with white stripes or white with black stripes?—
Al Robinson
Al RobinsonThe sun, moon, and planets circle above the terrestrial plane in the region of the equator. Their apparent rising and setting is an optical illusion caused by atmospheric refraction …—Ranger Rick
Ranger RickExamples of optical illusion in a Sentence
The closer building looks larger than the farther one, but it's just an optical illusion. The two buildings are actually the same size.
Recent Examples on the Web
Instead, Burke had been fooled by a very convincing optical illusion.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
For a bronze glow, apply a thin layer straight down the center of your arms and legs for a beauty optical illusion that gives the appearance of length and smoothness.
—Marie Lodi, Allure, 16 July 2025
Doherty has studied one particular puzzle for years called the Ebbinghaus illusion, an optical illusion which shows how size perception can be manipulated using surrounding shapes.
—Bradley Blackburn, CBS News, 13 June 2025
And Janelle Monáe, a walking optical illusion stunned in her two-in-one Thom Browne suit featuring an exaggerated structuring, a style creative and imaginative, just like her.
—Taryn Finley, Refinery29, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
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Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
For a bronze glow, apply a thin layer straight down the center of your arms and legs for a beauty optical illusion that gives the appearance of length and smoothness.
—Marie Lodi, Allure, 16 July 2025
Doherty has studied one particular puzzle for years called the Ebbinghaus illusion, an optical illusion which shows how size perception can be manipulated using surrounding shapes.
—Bradley Blackburn, CBS News, 13 June 2025
And Janelle Monáe, a walking optical illusion stunned in her two-in-one Thom Browne suit featuring an exaggerated structuring, a style creative and imaginative, just like her.
—Taryn Finley, Refinery29, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical illusion
Cite this Entry
“Optical illusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical%20illusion. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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