feign

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 Ford feigns reluctance about giving the hero moment to his screen wife. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025 Jenna Ortega just demonstrated the best way to feign inches of height and avoid steep tailoring fees. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for feign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feign
Verb
  • Appearing in his second Saturday Night Live-adjacent film after Wayne's World, Lowe played the villainous Paul Barrish, Tommy's older stepbrother, who plots to take over his father's company with help from his secret lover, partner-in-crime, and pretend mother, Beverly (played by Bo Derek).
    Mike Miller, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • But one of the show’s most viral clips is much more representative: The veteran SNL writer Jim Downey pretends to have never heard about Jeffrey Epstein’s misdeeds, to O’Brien’s bleating objections.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Using grand feu enamel to simulate drips of nail polish has to be a first in high watchmaking, and who but a high-fashion brand to pioneer the art form?
    Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025
  • By turning the water temperature to freezing, the process simulates when amphibians and reptiles conserve energy in the winter, when food is scarce and temperatures are low.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Her dog, Willow Jane, assumes the position and places her head in her palm.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Don’t assume any contractor is going to always do what’s right.
    Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Feign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feign. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.

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