1
: fictitious
Was his account actual or feigned?
2
: not genuine or real
showered him with feigned compliments

Examples of feigned in a Sentence

the feigned applause that polite people give after a bad concert the feigned looks of innocence I got when I asked who had broken the lamp
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 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 See all Example Sentences for feigned 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English feyned, feigned, from past participle of feynen "to feign"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of feigned was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near feigned

Cite this Entry

“Feigned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feigned. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

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