delusion

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'delusion' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a false belief held by someone, usually because of a mental illness. For example, "His delusion that he was the king of the kingdom led to his eventual downfall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He scored against Germany in an 8-3 whichwhich proved a snare and a delusion.

The Guardian

"That the sun moves round the Earth was once a delusion, and is still an illusion" (Fowler) DeMille, Cecil B (1881-1959) Hollywood producer and director; the B stood for Blount Democrat, Democratic In American politics, Democrat is a noun, Democratic an adjective: Hillary Clinton is a Democrat, and a member of the Democratic party.

The Guardian

You know, the guy who reckons climate change is a "scientific delusion"… hang on, who is that behind your modest-sized bookcase?

The Guardian

It will be destroyed by the inevitable disappointments of life, which overwhelm the delusion every generation has that theirs is special.

The Guardian

Mention marriage, and this party vanishes away to the wilder shores of delusion.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said it was a "delusion" to think that changing the way the BBC was run would solve its problems.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Tony McNulty, a Home Office minister, dismissed Davis's campaign as a "complete circus, tinged with vanity with a bit of self-delusion" and hinted that the true motive lay in shadow cabinet divisions which had yet to be unearthed.

The Guardian

Confirmation of her self-delusion came soon enough.

The Guardian

Every bit of family fun in that book is portrayed as self-delusion even before the tragedy.

The Guardian - Books

In science, though, self-delusion is still in charge.

The Guardian

It is a measure of the enduring impact of the miners' sacrifice and the potential power of radical trade unionism that, a generation after the event, it is still felt necessary to paint the strike as a dismal morality tale and its leadership as the epitome of vain self-delusion.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "delusion" when describing a fixed, false belief that is not amenable to change in light of conflicting evidence. Be mindful of its clinical connotations, particularly when discussing mental health.

Common error

Avoid using "delusion" interchangeably with "illusion". "Delusion" refers to a false belief, while "illusion" refers to a misinterpretation of sensory input. For instance, mistaking a rope for a snake is an illusion, while believing you are a historical figure is a delusion.

Linguistic Context

The word "delusion" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a false belief or idea. Ludwig AI confirms this, presenting numerous examples where "delusion" serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing the state of being deluded.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Opinion

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "delusion" is a noun used to describe a false belief resistant to confrontation with facts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in News & Media contexts and expresses disagreement with an idea. When writing, remember that "delusion" describes a false belief whereas the word "illusion" refers to a misinterpretation of the senses. Using it correctly ensures clarity and precision, especially when discussing mental health or differing opinions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

false belief

Focuses specifically on the incorrectness of the belief, omitting the psychological aspect of delusion.

misconception

Highlights the misunderstanding aspect, often implying a less severe or persistent false belief.

illusion

Emphasizes a sensory misinterpretation or deceptive appearance, rather than a fixed false belief.

fantasy

Suggests an imagined scenario, often pleasurable, but not necessarily believed to be real.

hallucination

Highlights sensory experiences without external stimuli, differing from a belief-based delusion.

pipe dream

Indicates an unrealistic hope or plan, typically associated with wishful thinking rather than mental illness.

self-deception

Highlights the act of deceiving oneself, implying a degree of awareness that is absent in true delusion.

erroneous perception

Focuses on the incorrectness of the perception, and does not have the strong medical connotation of "delusion".

cognitive distortion

Suggests a broader range of mental biases and irrational thoughts, not limited to fixed false beliefs.

wishful thinking

Highlights the influence of desires on beliefs, implying a conscious desire for something to be true.

FAQs

How is "delusion" used in the context of mental health?

In mental health, "delusion" refers to a fixed, false belief that is resistant to reason or evidence. It's a symptom of certain psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia or delusional disorder. For example, someone might have the "delusion of grandeur".

What are some common types of delusions?

Common types of delusions include "delusions of persecution" (belief of being targeted), "delusions of grandeur" (belief of exceptional abilities or status), and "delusions of reference" (belief that events have special significance for oneself).

What's the difference between a "delusion" and a "misconception"?

A "delusion" is a fixed, false belief that is strongly held despite contradictory evidence and often indicates a mental disorder. A "misconception", on the other hand, is a mistaken belief that can be corrected with information. Therefore, you can correct a misconception with reasonable information, while delusions are persistent even with facts.

When is it appropriate to use the term "delusion" in everyday conversation?

While "delusion" is primarily a clinical term, it can be used informally to describe a strong but clearly false belief. However, it's important to use it sensitively, especially when discussing someone's beliefs or opinions, to avoid causing offense. For instance, saying "It's a "delusion" to think that tax cuts will solve all economic problems" is acceptable, but avoid using it to describe personal beliefs without a good reason.