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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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 Listen to this article Loading your audio article Four men are under arrest in Southern California after one of them donned a bear costume to feign damage to high-end cars in an insurance scam, the state Department of Insurance said. —

Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 14 Nov. 2024 Howe certainly could not feign ignorance about the issue, because he was asked about the heckling. —

Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024 Chairman Meng’s words resonate when An begins working for a rich (and unnamed) French Banker (Matile Vincent) after feigning acceptance of his earlier defeat. —

Richard Kuipers, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024 Every news organization that feigns objectivity is actually heavily slanted toward the left. —

Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for feign

Recent Examples of Synonyms for feign

Verb

Jordan Binnington can pretend to want to fight all three American goalies at the same time.

Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Tips On How To Coexist With American Crocodiles By Anna Skinner Senior Writer, General Assignment 0 Some on social media are sharing their opinion on some behavior by crocodiles, worrying that the reptiles are pretending to drown to lure humans into the water, although experts have discounted this.

Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025