1
as in mock
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
the feigned applause that polite people give after a bad concert
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of feigned
Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
There’s no feigned seriousness, no proclamations of honesty.
—T. M. Brown, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
Many feigned mental illnesses just to leave the barracks.
—Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for feigned
Adjective
Spare me the feigned outrage, Feeny.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
There’s no feigned seriousness, no proclamations of honesty.
—T. M. Brown, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
Those of us who would love to have agents and publishing houses dictating our next books feigned sympathy.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
Many feigned mental illnesses just to leave the barracks.
—Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for feigned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feigned
Adjective
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In his new mock draft, Miller has the Bills picking up a key weapon.—
Andrew McCarty,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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In addition to the original trunk and items on display, the Center for Sacramento History and the history museum created a mock trunk inspired by the original for school programs throughout the region.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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While people sometimes express this view in jest, others believe the fake environment borders on a cultural abomination.—
Adam Kadlac,
The Conversation,
27 Mar. 2026
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With the Heat’s social media team posting a video of the dunks, Jakucionis joked that the video is fake.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This time, the scammers pretended to be representatives of Indiana and Maryland’s courts.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
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Moïse told jurors she was shot first, then pretended to be dead.—
Tania Francois,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Caissie was a late addition to Friday's lineup after first baseman Chris Morel was scratched because of a strained oblique.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Caissie was a late addition to Friday’s lineup after first baseman Chris Morel was scratched because of a strained oblique.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Sinner, the 2024 Miami Open champion, became the first man since Roger Federer in 2017 to complete the Sunshine Double — winning Indian Wells and Miami titles back-to-back — and the first in history to win the double without losing a set.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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Seven stacks of tiny paper cups were arranged to the left, next to packets of Nescafé, pouches of two-minute noodles, and a double gas burner connected to the cylinder—the main tool of his trade.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Many shots audiences assumed were digital were actually practical effects using Jay’s wheelchair design.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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This all assumed that radiation, matter, and curvature were the only allowable components to the Universe.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Lebohang Morake — the Grammy-winning South African composer behind the film’s opening Zulu vocals — filed a federal civil complaint in California on March 16 against the comedian, Learnmore Jonasi, alleging that the translation is false and damaging to his life’s work.—
Joe Kottke,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
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Rebollo, a 58-year-old Chula Vista resident, pleaded guilty in December in San Diego federal court to one count of wire fraud conspiracy, one count of filing a false tax return and one count related to Social Security fraud.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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On the opposite end of the spectrum, Tatianna points to cinnamon as a conductor of heat—one commonly used in lip plumper products to achieve a sultry pout.—
Essence,
Essence,
23 Nov. 2025
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The pop of color offers a shimmer-free (rare!) means of warming up a wedding look and works equally well at lip level.—
Calin Van Paris,
Vogue,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Feigned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feigned. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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