Definition
Deluded means believing something that is not true despite evidence to the contrary or having a false perception of reality.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Adjective
Synonyms
misled, mistaken, deceived, misguided, misinformed, duped, hoodwinked
Antonyms
Aware, clearheaded, enlightened, realistic, sensible
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | delusions, delusion |
| Verb | deluded, deluding, deludes, delude |
| Adjective | delusive, delusional, delusory |
| Adverb | delusively |
Example Sentences
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He was deluded into thinking that he could achieve success overnight without putting in any effort.
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She was deluded by his lies for a long time before realizing the truth.
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The paranoid patient was deluded into thinking that everyone was out to get him.
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The company’s deluded financial projections led to its eventual bankruptcy.
Usage
The word ‘deluded’ is an adjective commonly used to describe someone who is misled or deceived in their beliefs or perceptions. It can also be used to describe ideas, concepts, or actions which are based on false assumptions or erroneous information. The word ‘deluded’ is a derivative of the verb ‘delude’, which means to mislead or deceive someone.
The prefix ‘de-’ in ‘delude’ means ‘away from’, while the root word ’lude’ means ’to play’. Together, they form a word meaning ’to play someone away from the truth’. The suffix ‘-ed’ indicates past tense or past participle, used to describe someone who has already been deceived or misled.
The word ‘deluded’ is often used in a negative sense to describe people who are gullible or naive, easily falling for false promises or unrealistic expectations. It is also used in situations when people are so entrenched in their own beliefs that they are unable to see the truth, despite clear evidence to the contrary.
Example: The politician deluded himself into thinking that his controversial statements would gain him more support before the election, but in reality, they caused a backlash and hindered his chances of winning.