DELUSION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does delusion mean? 

• DELUSION (noun)
  The noun DELUSION has 3 senses:

1. (psychology) an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary

2. a mistaken or unfounded opinion or idea

3. the act of deluding; deception by creating illusory ideas

  Familiarity information: DELUSION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DELUSION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(psychology) an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

delusion; psychotic belief

Hypernyms ("delusion" is a kind of...):

mental condition; mental state; psychological condition; psychological state ((psychology) a mental condition in which the qualities of a state are relatively constant even though the state itself may be dynamic)

Domain category:

psychological science; psychology (the science of mental life)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "delusion"):

delusions of grandeur (a delusion (common in paranoia) that you are much greater and more powerful and influential than you really are)

delusions of persecution (a delusion (common in paranoia) that others are out to get you and frustrate and embarrass you or inflict suffering on you; a complicated conspiracy is frequently imagined)

hallucination (illusory perception; a common symptom of severe mental disorder)

nihilism; nihilistic delusion (the delusion that things (or everything, including the self) do not exist; a sense that everything is unreal)

somatic delusion (a delusion concerning the body image or parts of the body)

zoanthropy (the delusion that you have assumed the form of an animal)

Derivation:

delude (be false to; be dishonest with)

delusional (suffering from or characterized by delusions)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A mistaken or unfounded opinion or idea

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

delusion; hallucination

Context example:

his dreams of vast wealth are a hallucination

Hypernyms ("delusion" is a kind of...):

misconception (an incorrect conception)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "delusion"):

disorientation; freak out (a wild delusion (especially one induced by a hallucinogenic drug))

Derivation:

delude (be false to; be dishonest with)

delusional (suffering from or characterized by delusions)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The act of deluding; deception by creating illusory ideas

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

delusion; head game; illusion

Hypernyms ("delusion" is a kind of...):

deceit; deception; dissembling; dissimulation (the act of deceiving)

Derivation:

delude (be false to; be dishonest with)

 Context examples 

This prevents the actions of dopamine, thereby reducing the hallucinations and delusions that are associated with schizophrenia.

(Fluphenazine, NCI Thesaurus)

I thought it was some trick of the moonlight, some weird effect of shadow; but I kept looking, and it could be no delusion.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

What Mr. Dick had told me, and what I had supposed to be a delusion of his, now came into my mind.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

This instrument contains 12 neuropsychiatric areas associated with dementia such as delusions, anxiety, motor disturbances, and appetite.

(Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire, NCI Thesaurus)

Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) Frequency of the delusions.

(NPI - Delusions Frequency, NCI Thesaurus)

It relieves schizophrenic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, dementia).

(Clozapine, NCI Thesaurus)

Antipsychotic Agents relieve and control the symptoms of schizophrenic illness (hallucinations, delusions, dementia).

(Antipsychotic agent, NCI Thesaurus)

A disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and/or grossly disorganized behavior that resolve within a month.

(Brief Psychotic Disorder, NCI Thesaurus)

This leads to a reduction in psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions.

(Chlorpromazine, NCI Thesaurus)

With sustained use, the effects of tachycardia and enhanced alertness diminish while psychotoxic effects such as hallucinations and delusions may occur.

(Amphetamine, NCI Thesaurus)