delusive

[ dih-loo-siv ]

/ dɪˈlu sɪv /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR delusive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

tending to delude; misleading; deceptive: a delusive reply.

of the nature of a delusion; false; unreal: a delusive belief.

Also de·lu·so·ry

[dih-loo-suh-ree]. /dɪˈlu sə ri/.

Origin of delusive

First recorded in 1595–1605; delus(ion) + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM delusive

de·lu·sive·ly, adverbde·lu·sive·ness, nounnon·de·lu·sive, adjectiveun·de·lu·sive, adjective

un·de·lu·sive·ly, adverbun·de·lu·sive·ness, nounun·de·lu·so·ry, adjective

Words nearby delusive

delusion, delusional, delusion of grandeur, delusion of negation, delusion of persecution, delusive, delusterant, delustering, deluxe, Delvaux, delve

Example sentences from the Web for delusive

And the feelings of security provided by guns may be delusive.
David's Bookclub: Private Guns, Public Health|David Frum|March 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The question is: Will those negotiations be real and productive or — as the Iranians must hope — delusive and manipulative?
Netanyahu's Timetable|David Frum|May 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
So it is with wind and solar today, and the president is engaging in delusive political practice by suggesting otherwise.
Now the Bad Bits|David Frum|January 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
For those who are labouring under the delusive charms of brute-force, this picture is not overdrawn.
Indian Home Rule|M. K. Gandhi

She had never put on mourning for her husband, always cherishing the delusive hope that he would some day return.
Johnny Ludlow, Third Series|Mrs. Henry Wood
In these days there hath arisen a delusive hope as to infants.
Mr. Claghorn's Daughter|Hilary Trent
An answer in words is delusive; it is really no answer to the questions you ask.
Essays, First Series|Ralph Waldo Emerson
Shortly before receiving my letter, he witnessed an uncontrollable outbreak of anger and delusive jealousy in an insane lady.
The Expression of Emotion in Man and Animals|Charles Darwin