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
T. M. Brown, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2025
Stewart exclaimed with feigned enthusiasm.
—Judy Kurtz, The Hill, 9 Sep. 2025
Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026
On Thursday, the day after Carr targeted the time slot, Colbert feigned shock.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for feigned
Adjective
There’s no feigned seriousness, no proclamations of honesty.
—T. M. Brown, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2025
Stewart exclaimed with feigned enthusiasm.
—Judy Kurtz, The Hill, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
Many feigned mental illnesses just to leave the barracks.
—Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026
On Thursday, the day after Carr targeted the time slot, Colbert feigned shock.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for feigned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feigned
Adjective
-
The video was a standout moment alongside the romantic ballad, though, as Bruno picked up the guitar and delivered on the Latin love story with a mock wedding — and pulled on the heartstrings with a relationship that just about everyone would sign up to grow old for.—
Eric Renner Brown,
Billboard,
10 Mar. 2026
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The Wildcats feature potential first-round picks in freshmen Brayden Burries and Koa Peat, with Motiejus Krivas mentioned in some mock drafts.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
If filmmakers can prompt fake actors to deliver precise performances, where does that leave human actors?—
Holly Willis,
The Conversation,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The 18-minute fake pitch meeting!—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The fake store contained an app that pretended to come from Brazil’s social security system, which Kaspersky analyzed and found to be malicious.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Federal agents pretended to be NYPD plainclothes officers looking for a missing child to kidnap a Columbia University student in university housing.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
When Sony ultimately gets its way, Anderson and DiCaprio’s once-close relationship is noticeably strained on set.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with those claims at a White House meeting last year that underlined the strained relationship.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
D'Orazio followed with a two-run, ground-rule double.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Batting in the leadoff spot, Boston’s top shortstop prospect, Franklin Arias, got the scoring started in the bottom of the third with a go-ahead two-run double off the wall.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Grenell assumed the interim executive director role at the Kennedy Center in February 2025.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Claire was initially surprised that this busybody had assumed the role of her official helper without an invitation.—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Chapman is charged with making a false statement during a firearm purchase and engaging in the business of firearms dealing without a license.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Thomas Edward Manfredi, 33, is charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury and making a false police report, according to an arrest warrant.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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 17 Mar. 2026.
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