feign

verb

ˈfān How to pronounce feign (audio)
Definition of feignnext
as in to pretend
to present a false appearance of I would never feign illness just to get out of a test

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb feign contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of feign are affect, assume, counterfeit, pretend, sham, and simulate. While all these words mean "to put on a false or deceptive appearance," feign implies more artful invention than pretend, less specific mimicry than simulate.

feigned sickness

When can affect be used instead of feign?

The meanings of affect and feign largely overlap; however, affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling.

affected an interest in art

When is assume a more appropriate choice than feign?

In some situations, the words assume and feign are roughly equivalent. However, assume often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive.

assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients

When could counterfeit be used to replace feign?

The words counterfeit and feign can be used in similar contexts, but counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words.

an actor counterfeiting drunkenness

When might pretend be a better fit than feign?

The synonyms pretend and feign are sometimes interchangeable, but pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance.

pretended that nothing had happened

When is it sensible to use sham instead of feign?

Although the words sham and feign have much in common, sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible.

shammed a most unconvincing limp

When would simulate be a good substitute for feign?

While the synonyms simulate and feign are close in meaning, simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something.

cosmetics that simulate a suntan

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of feign Sophia Bush and her partner Ashlyn Harris happily obliged a photographer by climbing in and feigning pillow talk with their espresso martinis. —Freya Drohan, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025 Online, jokey provocations feigned a detachment from real life. —Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025 Yun feigns a movement towards the ball on his right foot and then steps onto his left, allowing the ball to run across his path and wrong-footing his marker. —Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025 Neither player feigned even the slightest effort in the shooting portions of the event, halfheartedly heaving the balls at the rim at breakneck speed. —Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for feign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feign
  1. pretend
  2. simulate
  3. assume
Verb
  • Read: America is done pretending about meat All of this social-media attention has been translating into people’s actual eating habits, Victoria Fitzgerald, who oversees Whole Foods Market’s meat merchandising, told me.
    — Valerie Trapp, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
  • My mother pretended to be Vietnamese to save our family.
    — Sophal Ear, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of pretend
Verb
  • At the same time, AI tools can simulate these attacks so security teams can identify and address organizational vulnerabilities before an actual attack takes place.
    — David Henkin, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In early February, New Shepard successfully simulated the moon's low gravity on board its capsule during a brief flight.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of simulate
Verb
  • Many professionals enter the tech space assuming their success in structured environments will seamlessly translate into building and scaling a startup, guaranteed.
    — Lola Eniolorunda, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • There’s a lot of reason to like these odds as Raphinha is averaging 3.68 shots per 90 minutes on the year, 0.15 xG per shot (well above average), and will likely assume penalty duties in the absence of Lewandowski.
    — Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of assume

Browse Nearby Words

feet of clay
feign
feigned
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Cite this Entry

“Feign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feign. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

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