1
as in mock
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
the feigned applause that polite people give after a bad concert
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fake
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express
the feigned looks of innocence I got when I asked who had broken the lamp
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pretended
to present a false appearance of
I would never feign illness just to get out of a test
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of feigned
John Bowe, Contributor, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025
Sugarcane repeats Obama’s feigned concern for the plight of indigenous people that first worked magic in 2008, an America-last doc about Canada’s Sugarcane reserve.
—Armond White, National Review, 17 Jan. 2025
If responding to questions with feigned but believable thoughtfulness was all that mattered, Lindsey Graham would be President.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
As the knife drew closer, Jennings, whose back was to the camera, turned around and leapt back in feigned terror.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for feigned
Adjective
Behind the feigned admiration lurks a depth charge of judgement or criticism.
—John Bowe, Contributor, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025
Sugarcane repeats Obama’s feigned concern for the plight of indigenous people that first worked magic in 2008, an America-last doc about Canada’s Sugarcane reserve.
—Armond White, National Review, 17 Jan. 2025
If responding to questions with feigned but believable thoughtfulness was all that mattered, Lindsey Graham would be President.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
As the knife drew closer, Jennings, whose back was to the camera, turned around and leapt back in feigned terror.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for feigned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feigned
Adjective
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This is the version (1.0) version of his mock draft, and there could easily be revisions made necessary by trades, medical history and players rising and falling.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2025
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One surprising faller in the latest mock draft from Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report is top tight end prospect Tyler Warren.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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At times, these characters surrounded by the green and gold blur of jungle and sunshine almost look fake, or as if they’re being shot in a studio.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
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The goal of creating a convincing but fake person is at the core of A.I.’s origin story.—
Jaron Lanier,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Seemingly as a gag to portray a darker Buddy, Ferrell held what appeared to be an unlit cigarette in his mouth and pretended to smoke it.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA TODAY,
31 Dec. 2024
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Oh Il-nam (Oh Yeong-su), a dying old man who pretended to be Gi-hun’s ally in the game.—
Josh Wigler,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The conference illuminated the increasingly strained relationship between Israel and its traditional allies in the West, which have grown uneasy with Israeli politics and the direction of the country’s devastating war in Gaza.—
Julia Frankel and Leo Correa,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2025
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Enter left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr., who had not pitched in five weeks because of a strained elbow flexor.—
Ken Rosenthal,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This was a record turnaround among SpaceX launches from Space Coast launch pads at 2 hours and 54 minutes besting October’s double launch that saw a Falcon 9 launch at CCSFS just eight hours, 42 minutes after a Falcon Heavy launch at KSC.—
Richard Tribou,
Orlando Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2025
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Agencies specializing in digital grew staff base by around 15%, which was double unscripted and quadruple scripted.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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On the other end, Gibbs began to slither his way into open space, and the Lions assumed full control.—
Alec Lewis,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
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As an incentive for the teams to stick around, the city assumed ownership of the land but agreed to give it back to the teams at the expiration of a ground lease in 2023, according to documents reviewed by The Post.—
Bennett Durando,
The Denver Post,
5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The pivotal addition to the the state Civil Code reads: Existing law provides that libel is a false and unprivileged written publication that injures the reputation and that slander is a false and unprivileged publication, orally uttered, that injures the reputation, as specified.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2025
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Fowler played more of a false nine and dropped deeper to stitch the play together, combining well with Jill Roord.—
Charlotte Harpur,
The Athletic,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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By After Testing Over 30 Best Sellers By Siena Gagliano Unlike balms, which can make lip color slide around, a primer locks it in while keeping lips soft and comfortable.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
2 Mar. 2025
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For lip color, reach for the Merit Beauty Signature lipsticks.—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
22 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Feigned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feigned. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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