1
as in mock
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
the feigned applause that polite people give after a bad concert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pretended
to present a false appearance of
I would never feign illness just to get out of a test
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 feigned
Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Cruising through the rollout without addressing much controversy challenges XOXO’s feigned edginess.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 June 2024
Such attacks belie the Taliban’s feigned moderation and point to the danger of sending select types of foreign assistance to Afghanistan that could end up in the control of the network.
—Melissa Skorka, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2022
Hall is tasked with delivering gouts of exposition and staring in feigned wonderment at screensaver-resembling new regions of the center of the Earth.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for feigned
Adjective
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
Cruising through the rollout without addressing much controversy challenges XOXO’s feigned edginess.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 June 2024
Such attacks belie the Taliban’s feigned moderation and point to the danger of sending select types of foreign assistance to Afghanistan that could end up in the control of the network.
—Melissa Skorka, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2022
Hall is tasked with delivering gouts of exposition and staring in feigned wonderment at screensaver-resembling new regions of the center of the Earth.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for feigned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feigned
Adjective
-
The Athletic's college football reporters conducted a mock draft, which had the Titans taking Miami quarterback Cam Ward.—
Nate Rau,
Axios,
26 Feb. 2025
-
There already have been a deluge of mock drafts and prospect rankings.—
Jim Reineking,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The reports that have gone viral on social media are fake news.—
Natasha Dye,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Call scams have been making headlines recently, fueled by the rise in AI threats and urgent but fake banking and technical support calls that push users to install software or transfer money.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
For years, Knight has hinted at Snoop’s alleged jealousy of Tupac, believing that the East Coast-West Coast rivalry and personal tensions led to strained relationships within their inner circle.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
25 Feb. 2025
-
State of play: DeSantis and Trump have long had a strained relationship.—
Ivana Saric,
Axios,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike the Arizona’s double buckle, this style is designed with an adjustable single strap.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Bernardo Kastrup, a double Ph.D. in Computer Engineering and Philosophy and former CERN scientist, has propounded this thinking and collaborated with leaders like Dr. Faggin.—
Carlo Tortora Brayda,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
In those documents, West discussed not only how to conduct experiments to implant false memories, instill specific mental disorders, and induce trance states, but also how to hide them.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
8 Mar. 2025
-
To illustrate, in the United Kingdom vaccinations took a considerable dip in the early 2000s after Wakefield’ false claims of a link between the MMR shot and autism were posted in the media.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share