Conceded and Conceited: Definition and Part of Speech
Conceded: As a verb, “conceded” means to admit or acknowledge something, typically after having resisted or denied it earlier. It can also imply yielding or giving ground, often in arguments or competitions.
Conceited: This adjective describes someone with an excessively high opinion of their own abilities or appearance. A conceited person is often arrogant and overconfident.
Both words are commonly used as adjectives or verbs (in the case of “conceded”) across various contexts including casual conversation, business communication, and more formal writing.
Core Synonyms
Below is a table listing primary synonyms for both “conceded” and “conceited,” highlighting their nuances, example sentences, and typical style registers.
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admitted (for Conceded) | To acknowledge openly; slightly less formal than “conceded.” | “She admitted her mistake in the meeting.” | Casual/Formal |
| Yielded | To give way under pressure, often in disputes. | “After lengthy discussions, he finally yielded to our proposal.” | Business/Neutral |
| Recognized (for Conceded) | To formally acknowledge or admit, often used in official contexts. | “The committee recognized the errors in their initial report.” | Formal/Academic |
| Arrogant (for Conceited) | Exuding self-importance; implies a lack of humility. | “His arrogant attitude alienated many colleagues.” | Casual/Informal |
| Overconfident (for Conceited) | Believing excessively in one’s abilities or qualities. | “Her overconfidence was evident when she underestimated the task’s difficulty.” | Business/Casual |
Usage Notes
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Admitted: Often used interchangeably with “conceded,” especially in everyday contexts. In business writing, it might appear in reports or meetings where acknowledgment is necessary. For example: “The manager admitted that there were delays in production.”
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Yielded: More frequently found in narratives involving conflict resolution or negotiation settings. It implies some resistance before giving way: “In the end, she yielded to peer pressure and joined the group.”
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Recognized: This synonym suits more formal or academic texts where an official acknowledgment is being discussed. Example: “The organization recognized the scientist’s contribution with a prestigious award.”
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Arrogant: Best used in descriptions of character traits, particularly when discussing someone’s personality negatively. In creative writing, it can help build complex characters: “He walked into the room with an arrogant stride that made everyone uncomfortable.”
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Overconfident: Useful in both casual and business contexts where one might describe a person’s unrealistic self-assessment or judgment. It is often seen in performance evaluations or feedback discussions: “His overconfidence led to a miscalculation in his financial projections.”
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake with “conceded” is using it when one simply states an opinion or fact, rather than admitting something after initial resistance. For instance, saying, “He conceded he likes coffee,” doesn’t carry the nuance of prior denial unless context clarifies.
With “conceited,” confusion arises as it’s sometimes used interchangeably with terms like “confident” or “proud.” However, “conceited” implies a negative judgment about excessive self-esteem, whereas “confident” is more neutral or positive.
Final Recap
In summary, while both “conceded” and “conceited” describe specific attitudes—acknowledgment and excessive pride—their synonyms offer subtle shades of meaning:
- Admitted, yielded, and recognized for “conceded,” with nuances ranging from casual to formal.
- Arrogant and overconfident for “conceited,” focusing on levels of self-importance.
Understanding these synonyms not only broadens vocabulary but also enhances precision in communication. Readers are encouraged to practice using these words in various contexts, such as writing sentences or engaging in conversation, to gain fluency and confidence with their usage.