1
as in metaphors
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 illusions
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
as in imagines
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 conceits
John Hopewell, Variety, 24 Nov. 2025
But even her most impish conceits are undergirded by a fundamental conviction, a belief in the power of art to wake the dead.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2025
One of Weapons’ conceits is its chapter structure centering on particular characters, and sources say that Cregger actually had a chapter focused on Gladys and some of her backstory.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2025
All the conceits of a true-crime film are there – the lead detective interviews, shaky images from police-cams, the salacious headlines, the nauseating crime scene photos, the TV news reports, teary interviews with friends and family.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
There’s something about those ideas that are big, silly, cinematic, surreal conceits that drew me in.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 24 Nov. 2025
But even her most impish conceits are undergirded by a fundamental conviction, a belief in the power of art to wake the dead.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2025
One of Weapons’ conceits is its chapter structure centering on particular characters, and sources say that Cregger actually had a chapter focused on Gladys and some of her backstory.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2025
All the conceits of a true-crime film are there – the lead detective interviews, shaky images from police-cams, the salacious headlines, the nauseating crime scene photos, the TV news reports, teary interviews with friends and family.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conceits
Noun
-
You’re surrounded by cartoon obstacles, fake pirates and a giant dinosaur — all metaphors that don’t require explanation.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
-
In the modern American workplace, the romantic metaphors are getting uncomfortably literal.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Rybakina was under more scoreboard pressure in her service games, but Sabalenka’s opportunities were mostly illusions.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
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Saturn brings accountability, Neptune dissolves illusions and Aries demands action.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The commercial imagines what Jurassic Park might've looked like if the island had been powered by Xfinity's reliable Wi-Fi network.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The historical fiction imagines the Mexican and American armies fighting for control of the West — part myth, fact and fiction spanning the past and present.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Two different visions While Wooster focused on the administration’s diplomatic approach, Holmes argued for significantly greater investment in Haiti’s security apparatus, with Haitians in the lead.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Abu Dhabi and Riyadh are in a public standoff over competing visions for the region, with the clearest rupture playing out in Yemen.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Amutah-Onukagha envisions a world that improves health care for Black women, who have historically been underserved, throughout their lifespans.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Netflix envisions $2-$3 billion but Willems reiterated the savings would come mostly off licensing and other areas.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
My very specific fantasies about the Iran of the future are my way of keeping the political imagination alive and open.—
Arash Azizi,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
-
There is no shortage of opportunities for children, particularly Black and brown ones, to be disabused of their fantasies.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Making his Olympic debut, Niklas dreams of winning his own and inspiring the next generation.—
Rebecca Tauber,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Billed as being in the spirit of Cars and Planes, the story revolves around the titular Tudy, an intrepid young lifeboat who dreams of adventures on the high seas but is held back by her father, the Admiral, who is still haunted by the loss of his wife.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Shortly after, the book began to take shape, with new elements often arriving in vivid daydreams and eerie nightmares.—
Charlie Vargas,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
-
And like the iconic Orient-Express (whose original route has been revived by Belmond's Venice Simplon-Orient-Express), the Champagne flutes, suited servers, and glossy design of this locomotive hold a seductive potential for daydreams and drama.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conceits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conceits. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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