adjective

illusory

ih-LOO-suh-ree/ɪˈluːsəri/

Appearing real or true but not actually so.

The apparent lake is illusory, a mirage above the hot desert road.

A traveler sees a shimmering distant apparent lake on hot dry desert road, mirage with actual dry road visible.

Etymology

ilLatinat, upon

+lusLatinto play

+oryLatinrelating to

“Playing with” someone supplied the underlying sense of mocking or making fun. The adjective moved from “mocking” to describing deceptive appearances, so something illusory seems real or true but gives a mistaken impression.

In context

JoCat82:24

… spot something which um nathaniel you would recognize with your studies something illusory can't quite make it out but something's fake uh what am i looking

Let the Hunt Begin - Belkinus Necro Hunt D&D Session 1

More examples

The mirror creates an illusory doorway at the end of the hall.
Her early lead proves illusory when the remaining votes are counted.
The locked gate gives residents an illusory sense of security.

Forms

illusory

illusion noun — A false appearance or mistaken belief.

Similar words

deceptive: Emphasizes misleading someone rather than simply lacking reality.
imaginary: Exists only in the mind, not necessarily through deception.