feint

1 of 2

noun

ˈfānt 

: something feigned

specifically : a mock blow or attack on or toward one part in order to distract attention from the point one really intends to attack

The boxer made a feint with his right, then followed with a left hook.

feint

2 of 2

verb

feinted; feinting; feints

intransitive verb

: to make a feint

transitive verb

1

: to lure or deceive with a feint

2

: to make a pretense of

Choose the Right Synonym for feint

trick, ruse, stratagem, maneuver, artifice, wile, feint mean an indirect means to gain an end.

trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.

the stratagem-filled game

maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.

used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

Examples of feint in a Sentence

Noun

The boxer made a feint with his right, then followed with a left hook.

Verb

He feinted with his right, then followed with a left hook.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Superstar center Connor McDavid made the Oilers’ lead 3-0 a little more than three minutes later before Tkachuk finally answered for the Panthers, but Florida’s first feint at a comeback attempt stalled because of special teams again. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 June 2024

June 8 — Ukraine launches second big counteroffensive After months of hints, feints, pleas for discretion, and deliveries of Western armaments, Ukraine launched its counteroffensive in eastern and southeastern Ukraine in early June. —Peter Weber, theweek, 14 May 2024

Verb

So far, the show seems to be at least feinting in that direction, but this season is an exercise in why leaving the books behind may be the show’s best decision. —Aja Romano, Vox, 18 June 2024

Bud snaked his way inside, feinting in the middle distance and eating some shots on the way in — but nothing that rattled him. —Tyler R. Tynes, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from French feinte, going back to Middle French fainte, feinte "act of dissembling, subterfuge," noun derivative from feminine past participle of feindre "to fabricate, dissemble, feign"

Verb

derivative of feint entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1644, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1741, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

feint

noun

ˈfānt

: a pretended blow or attack at one point in order to distract attention from the point one really intends to attack

feint verb