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

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 Either way, she’s gotten remarkably good at this injury feigning in a short amount of time. —

Caleb Harris, Austin American-Statesman, 3 Jan. 2025 Sam, meanwhile, plays his role, feigning helplessness and slivers of hope. —

Nick Caruso, TVLine, 4 Dec. 2024 The email automation services can automatically add personalized details to emails, feigning to be a fellow alumnus from your school, a speaker of your second language, or a fan of your favorite sport. —

Nathan Pettijohn, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025 There’s a type of bird called a killdeer that’s known for its injuring feigning technique to lure predators away from its nest. —

Caleb Harris, Austin American-Statesman, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for feign

Recent Examples of Synonyms for feign

Verb

Laurel continues to mock both Emily and Ryan, and then pulls out a book to pretend to read to ignore everyone.

— EW.com, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2025
After the first, McLaurin tried his own idea, which was pretending to pull a mask down over his head.

— Sam Fortier The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 23 Jan. 2025