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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of feigned
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
At that exact moment, the album shifts gears, exchanging feigned authenticity for an honest search for meaning.
—
Hannah Jocelyn,
Pitchfork,
20 Feb. 2026
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
The complaint alleges that district personnel’s concern over asbestos exposure was feigned to justify disciplining Rupert.
—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for feigned
Adjective
That leaves only the feigned feud between Paul and Gronkowski — Brady’s longtime pal and New England Patriots teammate.
—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
At that exact moment, the album shifts gears, exchanging feigned authenticity for an honest search for meaning.
—
Hannah Jocelyn,
Pitchfork,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
Even Republicans, who usually feigned ignorance about the President’s social-media outbursts, were weighing in.
—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
The complaint alleges that district personnel’s concern over asbestos exposure was feigned to justify disciplining Rupert.
—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for feigned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feigned
Adjective
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On Thursday, Gary Police Department personnel visited campers to teach about crime scene investigation and create a mock crime scene for students to solve.
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An 11-year-old Dexter Sol Ansell is peering into his Zoom camera, hands pressed to his cheeks and mouth wide open in mock shock.
Adjective
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First was a Drug Enforcement Administration badge and ID with Horsch’s photo on it, but the ID was fake, and Horsch has never worked for the DEA, according to court documents.
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This game preserves the difficulty of coming up with an elaborate, consistent false narrative on the spot, and the challenge of adapting that narrative on the fly when other players present convincing (and sometimes fake) counter-evidence.
Verb
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Even though many Metallica fans pretended to loathe the Load albums, headbangers came out for them.
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But at least the administration still pretended that justice was the point.
Adjective
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Then there’s the risk of higher frustration and strained relationships across an organization.
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But for Chris Williams, an 18-year employee of the California Department of Education, the contentious return-to-office process may have teed up a strained relationship with downtown.
Adjective
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Taylor Walls recorded three hits while Chandler Simpson added a double and a single.
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Resting options include double bunk beds in back and queen bed with bamboo mattress up front.
Verb
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Many business leaders assumed the semiconductor crisis ended with the pandemic.
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The defense attorney said police automatically assumed her client was the suspect from the start.
Adjective
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The charge alleges a person knowingly defrauded another by using false or misleading information to obtain money, property, credit or a loan.
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Opponents of Amendment 5 have flatly called the advertisement misleading or false.
Adjective
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Context that lacks acknowledgment comes across as defensive, and acknowledgment that lacks context comes across superficial.
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At the most superficial level, the DSA influx has associated Democrats with a series of kooky beliefs and statements.
Cite this Entry
“Feigned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feigned. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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