delusive

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /dɪˈluːsɪv/ UK /dɪˈluːsɪv/ See IPA manual

Freq #213681

Meanings

1

adj
giving a false or misleading impression; tending to deceive

The apparent calm was delusive, because the river was still rising upstream.
2

adj
based on a false belief or contrary to reality

He abandoned the delusive hope that the investment could never lose value.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · giving a false or... deceptive misleading illusory

2 adj · based on a false belief or... unfounded false unrealistic

Opposites

truthful reliable realistic

Word family

Derived forms delusivelydelusiveness

Related forms delude delusiondelusoryillusion

Etymology

Formed from delude + -ive, ultimately from Latin deludere, 'to mock, deceive, or play false,' combining de- with ludere, 'to play.' Delusive describes something that produces or supports a false belief; unlike delusional, it does not primarily describe a person experiencing a delusion.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# delusive

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /dɪˈluːsɪv/
**IPA (UK):** /dɪˈluːsɪv/
**Frequency rank:** 213681

## Meanings
1. giving a false or misleading impression; tending to deceive
2. based on a false belief or contrary to reality

## Examples
- The apparent calm was delusive, because the river was still rising upstream.
- He abandoned the delusive hope that the investment could never lose value.

## Synonyms
- deceptive
- misleading
- illusory
- unfounded
- false

## Antonyms
- truthful
- reliable
- realistic

## Derived Forms
- delusively
- delusiveness

## Related Forms
- delude
- delusion
- delusory
- illusion

## Etymology
Formed from delude + -ive, ultimately from Latin deludere, 'to mock, deceive, or play false,' combining de- with ludere, 'to play.' Delusive describes something that produces or supports a false belief; unlike delusional, it does not primarily describe a person experiencing a delusion.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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