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 Her approach to maternity style, now on full display during her third pregnancy, isn’t about soft-focus portraits or feigned vulnerability but strategy and precision. Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025 Despite feigning nonchalance during the interrogation, his own funny story betrays his true misery. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 May 2025 Even the nature of the work plays a role in how often employees feign illness. David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025 Refsnyder walked into the restaurant for his own birthday party and tried to feign a smile. Cody Stavenhagen, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for feign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feign
Verb
  • Scam warnings have been issued in multiple states over criminals pretending to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
    Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
  • And by the 1930s, some of the parties, particularly Nazi Germany, merely pretended to abide by treaty limits.
    Eric S. Edelman, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • Advertisement Read More: The Worst Thing to Say to Someone Who’s Depressed In the June report, the organization stressed that AI tools that simulate human relationships need to be designed with safeguards that mitigate potential harm.
    Andrew R. Chow, Time, 12 June 2025
  • Researchers say a working quantum computer will be a useful tool to simulate complicated physics or do math that could decipher encrypted data.
    Chris Eudaily, CNBC, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • Sponsors may assume their site partners are ready, only to discover costly delays during study startup.
    Sonali Bloom, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • For present purposes, the Court can assume (as seems likely) that Congress intended to preclude the President (or any subordinate officials acting at his direction) from directing, supervising, or controlling the Corporation.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 8 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Feign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feign. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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