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
Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for feigned
Adjective
Fey and Poehler interrupted the host’s monologue, much to his (feigned) surprise, and critiqued his joke telling.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for feigned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feigned
Adjective
-
In mock drafts, Hampton is often mocked to the early twenties or even late twenties to a team like the Washington Commanders.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Afterward, a mock court-martial was held, complete with the sentencing and execution of a private accused of desertion.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
These platforms sell complete phishing kits—web hosting, SMS delivery systems, fake landing pages, encryption tools—to other cybercriminals who want to run scams at scale.—
Alex Vakulov,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Frisco police are investigating a series of fake social media posts made this week after the killing of a 17-year-old student at a track meet, Police Chief David Shilson said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Apr. 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
-
While petty revenge can be amusing—and satisfying in the moment—Best suggested a different approach to dealing with strained neighbor relationships.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Throughout the series, the strained relationship between father and son highlights the repercussions of family communication breakdowns.—
Laurel Donnellan,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
By that same time next year, Munn had a nipple delay procedure, lymph node dissection, a double mastectomy, and reconstructive surgery.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
10 Apr. 2025
-
By the time Survivor’s post-merge double elimination episode was complete, only one original Vula member stood to live another day.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
10 Apr. 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
-
Looking down into the pit is not a powerful moment — looking up at this teenager that is desperate to get out of the wilderness and kill this false prophet in Lottie is powerful.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
-
In June of 2023, police approached her residence after receiving a false tip about child abuse.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
10 Apr. 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 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share