Phantasm

Pronunciation: /ˌfænˈtæzəm/

Phantasm (noun)

  1. A strange image or idea that seems real but is not; often felt during fear, dreams, or imagination.
  2. A ghostly sight or feeling that appears to someone, usually in a frightening or unreal way.
  3. An idea that people strongly believe, but it is not true or is based on wrong thinking.

Examples

  • The mirror showed an unreal image that vanished when I blinked.
  • In the dark, the fog became an unreal image on the wall.