[ adj ] based on or having the nature of an illusion <adj.all> illusive hopes of finding a better jobSecret activities offer presidents the alluring but often illusory promise that they can achieve foreign policy goals without the bothersome debate and open decision that are staples of democracy
Illusive \Il*lu"sive\, a. [See {Illude}.] Deceiving by false show; deceitful; deceptive; false; illusory; unreal.
Truth from illusive falsehood to command. --Thomson.
Without an accepted strategy, each Western country might race blindly to corner the Soviet market, however illusive that might be in real terms.