feign

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb feign contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of feign are affect, assume, counterfeit, pretend, sham, and simulate. While all these words mean "to put on a false or deceptive appearance," feign implies more artful invention than pretend, less specific mimicry than simulate.

feigned sickness

When can affect be used instead of feign?

The meanings of affect and feign largely overlap; however, affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling.

affected an interest in art

When is assume a more appropriate choice than feign?

In some situations, the words assume and feign are roughly equivalent. However, assume often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive.

assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients

When could counterfeit be used to replace feign?

The words counterfeit and feign can be used in similar contexts, but counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words.

an actor counterfeiting drunkenness

When might pretend be a better fit than feign?

The synonyms pretend and feign are sometimes interchangeable, but pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance.

pretended that nothing had happened

When is it sensible to use sham instead of feign?

Although the words sham and feign have much in common, sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible.

shammed a most unconvincing limp

When would simulate be a good substitute for feign?

While the synonyms simulate and feign are close in meaning, simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something.

cosmetics that simulate a suntan

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 feign Someone who’s really living the Andrew Tate-like lifestyle Jacob only feigns is his bestie Cameron (Dylan Playfair). Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025 From feigning ignorance to minimizing violence and praising its perpetrators, U.S. governments and presidents have long used deceptive rhetoric to legitimize the violence of leaders and countries the U.S. supports. Esther Brito Ruiz, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2025 All research seems to indicate that this back-to-back joke from 1985 was the lodestar for the meme of a socially inept teen feigning virile worldliness with a gal in America's northern neighbor country. Jordan Hoffman Updated, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2025 But that’s exactly what happened, as Musk posts and posts and posts on X. Musk is weaponizing Epstein – and Trump is feigning flabbergastaiton – because both know the president is vulnerable here now that his most fervent supporters and his most aggrieved detractors just don’t believe him. Chris Brennan, USA Today, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for feign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feign
Verb
  • But that injury was balanced out by years of creative play that kept my kids climbing, pretending, and running around with friends independently.
    Carrie Lukas, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Many businesses closing in Urfa were previously non-production businesses, established at zero cost with government incentives, used as warehouses while pretending to operate, and then declared bankrupt.
    Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Each device undergoes reliability tests that simulate outdoor environments—dust exposure, water sprays, vibrations, and rapid temperature cycles—to make sure performance remains stable.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
  • In 2003, the city of Chicago participated in TOPOFF 2, a national terrorism response exercise simulating a radiological attack in Seattle and the release of pneumonic plague in Chicago.
    Lauren Buitta, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The fire is assumed to have been sparked by lightning.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The reintroduction team assumed most of the population would settle in the southern third of Indiana, where large reservoirs and river systems create ample habitat.
    Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Feign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feign. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

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