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delusively

delusively

8.6
In a way that makes people believe something that is not true
  • adverb
  • /dɪˈluːsɪvli/
translation icon : engañosamente
  • He delusively believed that he could win the lottery without ever buying a ticket.

Examples

  • Some of you are delusively pretending that hanging out with friends is socially akin to high tea at Westminster.

    Blog text (22)
  • Frazier argued that they suffered from a sense of nothingness, and consequently behaved irresponsibly and delusively while seeking meaning and recognition in a make-believe world.

    Academic text (2013)
  • The advertisement delusively suggests that using this product will make you happier instantly.

  • The film delusively portrays the protagonist as a hero when he is actually quite flawed.

Synonyms

falsely
vsdelusively
83 3.5

In a way that is not true or correct

focuses more on the false appearance or misleading impression than plain untruth
deceptively
vsdelusively
16 5.7

In a way that makes something seem different from what it really is

is about creating an unreal or misleading overall impression rather than other motives
fraudulently
vsdelusively
10 7.5

In a dishonest way to trick someone to get money or other things

focuses on creating a misleading impression rather than criminal financial intent
dishonestly
vsdelusively
4 3.5

In a way that tries to trick or cheat other people

relates more to producing a false impression than general corrupt behaviour
misleadingly
vsdelusively
2 5.3

In a way that gives someone the wrong idea

focuses on producing an unrealistic overall impression rather than a single factual error
disingenuously
vsdelusively
2 8.4

In a dishonest way, by pretending not to know something

is about producing a misleading impression rather than merely being insincere
deceitfully
vsdelusively
1 6.3

In a way that tries to trick someone

is more about creating a misleading impression than personal calculated deceit
deceivingly
vsdelusively
1 7.7

In a way that seems true but is not

stresses making an unreal impression rather than merely stating an untruth
untruthfully
vsdelusively
1 5.9

In a way that is not true to make other people believe something false

centres on creating a deceptive, unrealistic impression rather than simple lying
fallaciously
vsdelusively
  • Formal
1 8.4

In a wrong way because of a false belief that leads to wrong conclusions

is about causing a misleading or unreal impression rather than being merely mistaken
mendaciously
vsdelusively
  • Formal
1 9.9

In a way that says things that are not true

focuses on creating an unreal impression rather than straightforward lying
beguilingly
vsdelusively
1 7.8

In a charming way that may trick someone

centres on creating a false impression rather than relying on charm to deceive
speciously
vsdelusively
  • Formal
8.8

In a way that seems true but is actually false

highlights causing an unreal impression rather than merely seeming believable
feignedly
vsdelusively
8.8

In a way that pretends to be real but is not

stresses causing an unrealistic impression rather than simple pretending
duplicitously
vsdelusively
8.6

In a dishonest way pretending to want one thing while doing another

focuses on creating an unreal impression rather than sustained double behaviour
trickily
vsdelusively
8.1

In a clever way that tries to fool someone

highlights producing an unrealistic impression rather than direct active trickery
perfidiously
vsdelusively
  • Formal
9.9

In a dishonest way that betrays trust

is about making an unreal impression rather than extreme betrayal or treachery

Antonyms

83 2.3

To tell what really happened without lying or hiding anything

68 3.9

In a way that accepts the true facts and what is possible

How Deceptive

delusively
8.6
deceptively
16 5.7
misleadingly
2 5.3

Surface Forms

delusively positive
delusivelyer comparative
delusivelyest superlative

Morphology

delusively = delusive (transparent) = delude + ive + ly

Standard adverb formation by adding '-ly' to the adjective 'delusive'; meaning 'in a delusive (deceptive) manner' is directly derived.

Etymology

Delusively comes from delude, which joins de- 'away' and ludere 'to play'. Think of it as a trick that 'plays' with the truth and pushes it 'away', so something described as delusively true seems real but actually fools or misleads people.