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
Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for feigned
Adjective
In a moment of feigned indignation, Sandler threatened to storm out of the ceremony, which prompted O'Brien to apologize for his attack.
—Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for feigned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feigned
Adjective
-
In a recent mock draft, Baseball America speculated the Sox would select Florida State left-hander Jamie Arnold if the run on prep shortstops left him on the board.—
Phil Rogers,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
This time, he was invited to continue in the selection process, which included another test over Zoom with about 30 other hopeful applicants, a personality interview and a virtual mock game.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
There’s a massive global scam operation that uses real payment methods on fake checkout pages.—
Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
-
Additional increases in the quantity and quality of weapons sent to Ukraine would underpin that message and would have a better chance than anything else of persuading Putin to replace fake negotiations with the real thing.—
The Editors,
National Review,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
The newly vegan sister-in-law then called the caterer and pretended to be the bride, adding five new vegan options and approving a $1,500 charge.—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Josef and Rosemarie raised three of Elisabeth's children, who Josef pretended Elisabeth left on their doorstep, while Elisabeth was forced to raise three of her children in a locked underground compound without windows.—
Jessica Sager,
People.com,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
But not Hochman, whose strained diplomacy has raised eyebrows.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 July 2025
-
The story of Mbappe’s move to the Bernabeu last summer and his strained relations with PSG could fill several tomes, given the intensity of Madrid’s almost decade-long pursuit of the forward — and the fallout continues to this day.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Chicago tacked on another run against reliever Tim Hill in the seventh when Seiya Suzuki smacked a two-out double, then scored from second base on an infield single by Pete Crow-Armstrong.—
Peter Sblendorio,
Hartford Courant,
13 July 2025
-
Gavin Sheets greeted him with a double to right field.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
When Newcastle received an influx of cash from a sovereign wealth fund, fans assumed a legion of superstars would lead them to Champions League glory.—
Brett Koremenos,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
It has long been assumed that no such loan write-offs are allowed to be included in clubs’ PSR calculations.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that the claims are false.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC news,
3 July 2025
-
The City of Odessa, Texas, also said claims of a serial killer in the area were false in a Dec. 9 Facebook post.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 July 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 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share