1
as in metaphor
an elaborate or fanciful way of expressing something
the conceit that the crowd at the outdoor rock concert was a vast sea of people waving to the beat of the music
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in illusion
a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality
his dream of swimming in the Olympics is nothing more than a conceit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in vanity
an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements
even though her novels are enormously popular, the writer is more prone to humility than to conceit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to imagine
to form a mental picture of
after a huge meal like that, I cannot conceit eating another thing for the rest of the day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of conceit
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026
The conceit here is that there are two boxes that help determine where the story leads.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
Bateman’s questioning aside, the lack of research is a central conceit of the show, which launched during the pandemic as a pastime for friends and now hosts Will Arnett, Sean Hayes and Bateman.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026
This particular title works best in a rather scrappier and more intimate staging, with a conceit that pays more homage to its B-movie origins.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conceit
Noun
Based on a manga by Tomoko Yamashita, the series takes its name from the loose central conceit, in which one of the two main characters — sweet but sheltered 15-year-old Asa — keeps a journal recording her daily thoughts in the weeks and months following a car crash that takes her parents’ lives.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026
The conceit here is that there are two boxes that help determine where the story leads.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
Bateman’s questioning aside, the lack of research is a central conceit of the show, which launched during the pandemic as a pastime for friends and now hosts Will Arnett, Sean Hayes and Bateman.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026
This particular title works best in a rather scrappier and more intimate staging, with a conceit that pays more homage to its B-movie origins.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conceit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conceit
Noun
-
Each winner received a token, another metaphor.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Metaphorical thinking enhances learning by linking new concepts to familiar patterns, fostering creative problem-solving among non-experts, and aiding memory retention through vivid imagery, while expanding one's metaphor store through diverse topics can boost creativity in specialized fields.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
More than a month into open confrontation between Iran, the United States, Israel, and now parts of the Arab Gulf, the illusion of a quick and decisive conflict has collapsed.—
Kazem Kazerounian,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The next mayor will inherit an enormous burden on Day 1 with no room for illusions.—
Bill Conway,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One thing to keep in mind is that the bathrooms are open-concept, flowing into the bedroom and living area with no door separating the sink/vanity.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Clavicular is like a blend of Dorian Gray and Patrick Bateman, those fictional creations of gay authors out to probe the sinister side of male vanity.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Could one imagine immersive experiences distributed across geographies in ways that connect local nodes of creation in networks that blend physical and virtual presence?—
Daniel Birnbaum,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
That just felt so, almost traumatizing to even imagine.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For travelers with an adventurous spirit, Costa Rica’s South Pacific is a dream come true.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
-
But what was once a distant dream is now coming true for more and more authors, all up and down the ladder of literary fame and prestige.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Drop your ego, keep the accountability, and focus on improvement.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In a curiosity divested of ego.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Neither is the location of the new stadium ideal -- or what was first envisioned, 12 years ago, as a waterfront facility nearer the Port of Miami or off Biscayne Bay neighboring the Heat arena.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
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As his profile rose after 2021’s The Man From Waco, which too was initially envisioned as a concept record, Crockett found his crowds especially engaged with his onstage banter.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Attempts to resolve ecological responsibility through strict localism often risk sliding into cultural provincialism or nationalist enclosure—fantasies of purity that ignore how deeply entangled our lives already are.—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Daily fantasy sports players draft rosters of athletes competing that day, stake money and win cash prizes based on the athletes’ real-life performances.—
Michael Delayo,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conceit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conceit. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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