noun
delusion
dih-LOO-zhuhn/dɪˈluːʒn/
A false belief about reality, often held despite evidence against it.
The man maintains the delusion that his mannequin guest is alive despite its hollow construction.
Etymology
Playing to someone's detriment gives the image of playing false or deceiving. Delusion shifted from the act of misleading someone to a fixed false belief accepted as truth.
In context
delusion is a defense against reality the more reality challenges The Narcissist the more delusional he becomes
More examples
- She abandoned the delusion that everyone agreed with her.
- The novel explores his delusions of grandeur.
- The evidence challenged the central delusion.
Forms
delusion · delusions
Similar words
- misconception
- Misconception need not persist despite contrary evidence.
- illusion
- Illusion can concern misleading perception rather than belief.