Thesaurus results for FEINT

Q: How is the word 'feint' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of feint are artifice , maneuver , ruse , stratagem , trick , and wile . While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent. // a feint toward the enemy's left flank

Q: In what contexts can 'artifice' take the place of 'feint'?

The meanings of artifice and feint largely overlap; however, artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention. // the clever artifices of the stage

Q: When might 'maneuver' be a better fit than 'feint'?

While the synonyms maneuver and feint are close in meaning, maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty. // last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

Q: When could 'ruse' be used to replace 'feint'?

The words ruse and feint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression. // the ruses of smugglers

Q: When is it sensible to use 'stratagem' instead of 'feint'?

In some situations, the words stratagem and feint are roughly equivalent. However, stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy. // the stratagem -filled game

Q: When can 'trick' be used instead of 'feint'?

The words trick and feint can be used in similar contexts, but trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end. // the tricks of the trade

Q: Where would 'wile' be a reasonable alternative to 'feint'?

The synonyms wile and feint are sometimes interchangeable, but wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements. // used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

Q: How is the word 'feint' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of feint are artifice , maneuver , ruse , stratagem , trick , and wile . While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent. // a feint toward the enemy's left flank

Q: In what contexts can 'artifice' take the place of 'feint'?

The meanings of artifice and feint largely overlap; however, artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention. // the clever artifices of the stage

Q: When might 'maneuver' be a better fit than 'feint'?

While the synonyms maneuver and feint are close in meaning, maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty. // last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

feint 1 of 2

noun

Definition of feint next

as in bluff

sports a quick movement that you make to trick an opponent The boxer made a feint with his right, then followed with a left hook.

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feint

2 of 2

verb

as in to bluff

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word feint different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of feint are artifice, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, trick, and wile. While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

In what contexts can artifice take the place of feint?

The meanings of artifice and feint largely overlap; however, artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

When might maneuver be a better fit than feint?

While the synonyms maneuver and feint are close in meaning, maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

When could ruse be used to replace feint?

The words ruse and feint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

When is it sensible to use stratagem instead of feint?

In some situations, the words stratagem and feint are roughly equivalent. However, stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.

the stratagem-filled game

When can trick be used instead of feint?

The words trick and feint can be used in similar contexts, but trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

Where would wile be a reasonable alternative to feint?

The synonyms wile and feint are sometimes interchangeable, but wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.

used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

How is the word feint different from other nouns like it?

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

In what contexts can artifice take the place of feint?

The meanings of artifice and feint largely overlap; however, artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

When might maneuver be a better fit than feint?

While the synonyms maneuver and feint are close in meaning, maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

When could ruse be used to replace feint?

The words ruse and feint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

When is it sensible to use stratagem instead of feint?

In some situations, the words stratagem and feint are roughly equivalent. However, stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.

the stratagem-filled game

When can trick be used instead of feint?

The words trick and feint can be used in similar contexts, but trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

Where would wile be a reasonable alternative to feint?

The synonyms wile and feint are sometimes interchangeable, but wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.

used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

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 feint

Noun

But Fogelman’s feints are so dependent on worn tropes that, in the three-part Season 2 premiere that is now streaming on Hulu, Paradise becomes not just predictable, but also kind of dull. —

Judy Berman, Time, 23 Feb. 2026 The painting makes dozens of little feints like this, giving and taking away. —

Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026

Verb

To that end, Muhammad does a good job feinting and changing rhythm, to keep his opponent from guessing his timing too easily. —

Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025 Dončić, now a Los Angeles Laker, flowed and feinted around Gobert, faking a shot and then, off balance, finally lobbing the ball over Gobert, who just stood there like a stanchion. —

Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 4 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for feint

Recent Examples of Synonyms for feint

Noun

One afternoon, in Jasper, Gordon Watkins, who runs the Buffalo River Watershed Alliance, pointed to the limestone bluffs along the Buffalo National River.

— Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
Perched on a bluff that overlooks Irish Beach, a private area within Manchester State Park, the home boasts an unobstructed, 180-degree view of the rugged Mendocino coastline.

— Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2026

Definition of bluff

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“Feint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feint. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of feint

noun

verb

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On 'Feign,' 'Feint,' and 'Faint'

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Synonyms of feint

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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Articles Related to feint

On 'Feign,' 'Feint,' and 'Faint'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on feint

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