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
-
The group staged a mock funeral procession in January 2021, with doctors carrying caskets on their shoulders, representing 384 people who had died in the nation’s smallest state of an overdose the previous year.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
4 Aug. 2025
-
The California Post will launch in early 2026, and mock cover images show that the New York paper’s gossip section Page Six will make the move westward as well.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
When Fakes Became Front-Page News This summer, Shanghai police dismantled a counterfeit ring responsible for more than 5,000 fake Labubu’s sold at 60–70% of the retail price.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
-
The Onion shared a fake article on social media, making fun of Perry and Trudeau by suggesting Bloom was seen on a date with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
4 Aug. 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
-
There has been a gradual normalization of ties between India and China in recent months after relations were deeply strained in June 2020, when a brutal hand-to-hand battle in the Galwan Valley left at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers dead.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
-
The Taliban’s strained relationships with Iran and Pakistan further complicate reintegration efforts.—
Natasha Lindstaedt,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
Adjective
-
The Sox fell into a hole after a two-run double by Bryce Harper in the third inning.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
29 July 2025
-
His double off the brick arcade would’ve cleared the fence in every major-league ballpark except the one built hard against McCovey Cove.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
27 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
-
Winfrey's spokesperson told Newsweek that these reports are false, and that the road will remain open as long as is necessary.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 July 2025
-
One of the things your piece says is that, essentially for the entire duration of the war, there’ve been false warnings about a hunger crisis.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
30 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 8 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share