as in seeing
to see or sense something or someone that is not really there; to have hallucinations
The patient may hallucinate if she has a fever.
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hallucinating
Major problems arising from hallucinating AI coding software could snowball into catastrophe at many other firms as well.
—
Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 19 Mar. 2026
At a recent hearing on his disciplinary charges, the state presented evidence that Becker admitted to hallucinating while at work and to needing fluids prior to work shifts.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 6 Mar. 2026
Song was dehydrated and hallucinating, the witness said.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated March 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2026
Models will always be capable of hallucinating, so the objective is to build full systems that ensure—though not zero risk—but reliability superior to current processes.
—Sylvain Duranton, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
What if a person was hallucinating, and a voice told them to commit the crime?
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
The Gemini integration naturally raises concerns about the chatbot hallucinating inaccurate information.
—PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2025
This film took us on an unexpected journey through the hallucinating world of the rave dancers in the desert of Morocco, with the specificity of a journalist, and with all the sensual power of a filmmaker.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
In fact, his own uncle once pulled out a gun at a grocery store while hallucinating.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 19 Mar. 2026
At a recent hearing on his disciplinary charges, the state presented evidence that Becker admitted to hallucinating while at work and to needing fluids prior to work shifts.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 6 Mar. 2026
Song was dehydrated and hallucinating, the witness said.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated March 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2026
Models will always be capable of hallucinating, so the objective is to build full systems that ensure—though not zero risk—but reliability superior to current processes.
—Sylvain Duranton, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
What if a person was hallucinating, and a voice told them to commit the crime?
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
The Gemini integration naturally raises concerns about the chatbot hallucinating inaccurate information.
—PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2025
This film took us on an unexpected journey through the hallucinating world of the rave dancers in the desert of Morocco, with the specificity of a journalist, and with all the sensual power of a filmmaker.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
In fact, his own uncle once pulled out a gun at a grocery store while hallucinating.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hallucinating
Verb
-
The one big missing piece was seeing her team finally capture an elusive state championship.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Mario Tama / Getty Images file In a report whose data was largely compiled before the recent run-up, Bank of America analysts found that so far, only lower-income households were seeing a significant impact on their budgets from higher gas prices.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Just five years ago, Bryson Battle was a suburban Charlotte high school senior dreaming about a career in the theater.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Messick, who grew up dreaming of wearing a Rays uniform, continues to be a nightmare for his hometown team.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But dismantling polluting industries, trying to clean up our air and our water, and imagining a health care system not driven by profit would take coordinated, radical restructuring.—
Hannah Kerman,
STAT,
29 Apr. 2026
-
And looking at things from different angles and imagining different outcomes is a social worker skill that helps me as a fiction writer.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Many companies have filed lawsuits seeking refunds and companies are contemplating the impact this would have on shareholders.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
California is contemplating a one-time, 5 percent levy on the state’s billionaires—200 or so people in a population of 40 million.—
Annie Lowrey,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kudrow, who starred as the free-spirited Phoebe Buffay, said the writers reprimanded the cast for forgetting lines and spent their off-hours fantasizing about her female co-stars.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
-
That’s not the same as fantasizing about Chinese lifestyles from afar.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The two-term governor, who is seeking a third term in November while pondering a potential 2028 White House bid, is viewed favorably by 68% of Chicagoans and unfavorably by 20%.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Gary Thuerk, of the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), was pondering how to advertise upcoming demonstrations in California of his company’s latest computers.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In 1866, Howells had been able to recognize the connection between ending slavery, envisioning equality, and the broadest expression of the American idea.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
-
But reflection on those few hours of celebration — that wild scramble to enjoy the moment, yet hurry to get everyone ready to go home — left the Dodgers envisioning one of the few things this contemporary dynasty has yet to accomplish.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hallucinating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hallucinating. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
