become deluded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become deluded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a process in which someone starts to hold false beliefs or misconceptions. Example: "Over time, he began to become deluded about his abilities, thinking he was the best in the field despite evidence to the contrary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"He had become deluded".

Independent

Athletes become deluded into thinking we can have peace and war simultaneously.

The New York Times - Sports

People either become deluded, or they get taken to a certain level and then dropped.

The Guardian

I just hope that I would be so romantic that I become deluded enough to keep hoping".

The New Yorker

Some, like Burke and Paretsky, have opted to carry on ploughing the same furrow over and over, while others, like Ellroy, have become deluded by their own dreams of grandeur.

The Guardian - Books

Here there are no larger-than-life characters, no sinner-saints or inspired madmen -- just listless, marginal dreamers, scavengers who seem to have become deluded by some long-forgotten notion of the desert, only to find themselves eking out a hardscrabble existence among the detritus of those who've been this way before.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"He became deluded in his belief that he had constructed a legit traffic study".

The New Yorker

But in the space of 10 years, he became deluded by power, a leader whose only ambitions were to build palaces and drive luxurious cars.

The New York Times

Ranked #2 BPM [Beats Per Minute]!" The praise is so detached and mechanical that it calls into question whether corporate executives have become so deluded by money that they now really think of BPM metrics as legitimate and positive ways to describe art.

The Guardian - Music

Hammond makes a persuasive, unsettling case that contemporary American poetry has become as institutionally deluded as I was in the seventies, that American literary instruction has become the standardized, academically sponsored product of-by-for democratic mediocrity.

Johns Hopkins University

In a motion filed on Mr. Letterman's behalf, Pat Rogers, an Albuquerque lawyer, wrote, "Celebrities deserve protection of their reputation and legal rights when the occasional fan becomes dangerous or deluded".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "become deluded", consider adding context to explain the cause or source of the delusion to give a more complete and informative picture.

Common error

Avoid using "become deluded" to describe someone making a simple mistake or misjudgment. Delusion implies a deep-seated and persistent false belief, not just a momentary lapse in judgment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become deluded" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of transitioning into a state of delusion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It suggests a change in perception, where someone starts adopting false beliefs.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "become deluded" effectively describes a gradual shift into a state of false belief or detachment from reality. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. While not extremely common, its appearance in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian indicates its acceptability in news and media as well as some academic contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to differentiate delusion from simple mistakes and provide context about the cause of the delusion. Alternatives such as "fall into delusion" or "lose touch with reality" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall into delusion

Focuses on the action of entering a state of delusion.

be led astray

Emphasizes the influence of external factors in causing the delusion.

lose touch with reality

Highlights the detachment from what is real or true.

develop false beliefs

Specific to forming beliefs not based on truth or fact.

grow misguided

Indicates a gradual shift towards flawed judgment or understanding.

become deceived

Stresses the action of being tricked or misled.

be under an illusion

Implies being controlled by a false perception.

descend into fantasy

Highlights movement from reality to imaginary or unrealistic scenarios.

embrace illusion

Emphasizes willful choosing the false beliefs.

succumb to deception

Highlights submission to the deception.

FAQs

What does "become deluded" mean?

The phrase "become deluded" means to gradually start believing in things that are not true or real, often losing touch with reality.

How can I use "become deluded" in a sentence?

You can use "become deluded" to describe someone who starts to have false beliefs, as in, "Over time, he "fell into delusion" about his importance to the company."

What are some alternative ways to say "become deluded"?

Alternatives include phrases like "fall into delusion", "lose touch with reality", or "grow misguided".

Is it more appropriate to say "become deluded" or "be deluded"?

"Become deluded" describes a process of transitioning into a state of delusion, while "be deluded" describes being in that state. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the transition or the state of delusion.