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
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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
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 12 Jan. 2026
Ironically, there’s something very old-fashioned about the central conceit, which is basically an epistolary romance—but one whose letters soar across space and time.
—Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
The conceit is risky but pays off.
—Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
When window dressing takes away from that central conceit, what’s the point?
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conceit
Noun
Moreover, Lane observes, the Symposium offers dueling narratives in its rhetorical speeches, undermining the conceit that the text pushes for ideological prescriptions.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 12 Jan. 2026
Ironically, there’s something very old-fashioned about the central conceit, which is basically an epistolary romance—but one whose letters soar across space and time.
—Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
The conceit is risky but pays off.
—Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
When window dressing takes away from that central conceit, what’s the point?
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conceit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conceit
Noun
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This concept is brought to life by the characters’ perilous physical and psychological journey, constantly suspended between destruction and renewal, reality and metaphor.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
7 Jan. 2026
-
With relentless howling wind making up much of the soundtrack, The Turin Horse was a chilling, enigmatic stunner that played like a metaphor for the apocalypse.—
Tim Grierson,
Rolling Stone,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Everything that appears normal is an illusion, a bigger lie than The Big Lie.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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The creative team includes movement by Steven Hoggett, sets by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry and illusions by Jamie Harrison.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Posing on top of an antique vanity and inside a wooden cabinet, Bieber cycled through a parade of sheer lace, see-through mesh, and strappy designs in shades of red, black, pink, and cream.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
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Store liquids—such as lotion, makeup, perfumes, and skincare—on a tray to protect your vanity table or bathroom cabinet.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Bagehot and other upholders of depoliticizing enchantments could not have imagined a scenario in which Andrew, once second in line for the throne, and Larry Summers, a former Ivy League president hailed as one of America’s leading public intellectuals, are caught up in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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Some of that was real, some of it was exaggerated, some of it was just imagined — and all of it became a potent, highly motivating political narrative.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Sadly, his college ball dreams didn’t come to fruition after the coach who called him up retired.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
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Over the past seven years, Blake Lively brought her dream hair care line to life by redefining the beauty industry with a blend of passion, precision and purpose.—
Kanika Talwar,
Footwear News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The healthy egos on this cast probably won’t see me as a challenge threat despite my record.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Performers, clowns and managers talk about the risks, egos and family atmosphere at Cirque, as shots of death-defying stunts play.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The society envisions public events featuring speakers and workshops that focus on wellness and community for people of all ages.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
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Close your eyes and try to envision Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a tandem.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Alessandro Michele, at Valentino, was also thinking of how to collide reality and fantasy, staging his collection in nooks inspired by the kaiser panorama, an early 20th century precursor to cinema, in which viewers sat around a circle, staring into a contraption displaying slides.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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Yeah, actor Rob Riggle caught grief in his fantasy football league.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conceit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conceit. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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