Thesaurus results for FEIGN

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

feign

verb

ˈfān

Definition of feign next

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

Examples 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 Every news organization that feigns objectivity is actually heavily slanted toward the left. —

Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2024 The event was won by William Hoyt, a sophomore at Harvard, who had feigned illness to skip classes and travel to Europe. —

Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024 Before Musk officially took over Twitter, the tech oligarch at least feigned an interest in running the company with an eye toward actual governance. —

Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2024 Any staff member found to be involved in signaling or directing a player to feign an injury will face the same measures, including financial penalties and a suspension. —

Bill Eichenberger, Sportico.com, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for feign

Recent Examples of Synonyms for feign

Verb

For instance, pretending to admire them will go to great lengths, especially compared to providing them with a reality check or confronting them about their mistakes, behavior, or values.

Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
In 1966, Cole starred with Deborah Walley (Gidget Goes Hawaiian) in the 3D sci-fi film The Bubble and appeared on an episode of Gunsmoke in which his character pretended to be the son of a man killed by Matt Dillon (James Arness).

Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Dec. 2024