as in pretending
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 feigning
Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
All the while, the pair are doing their makeup on the plane ride over, feigning their different emergencies so as not to spoil the surprise.
—Sara Belcher, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
When Zuccarello took a swipe with his stick and smacked McCarron in the leg, the big man responded with a Oscar-worthy acting job, feigning like he had been slashed on the wrist.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 20 Mar. 2026
Thanks for being there and at least feigning interest in my oddball life.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
Dillon Brooks antagonizing, Devin Booker feigning indifference.
—Jason Quick, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Camille smirks into her wine, feigning terror but secretly gleeful at the display.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Akhparian asked while patting himself down and feigning to be in search of a weapon.
—Linh Tat, Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
Taylor ran his route perfectly, feigning a move to his left before turning upfield and finding a sliver of open space in the end zone.
—Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Most artists spend enormous energy maintaining that closeness — or at least feigning it.
—Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
All the while, the pair are doing their makeup on the plane ride over, feigning their different emergencies so as not to spoil the surprise.
—Sara Belcher, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
When Zuccarello took a swipe with his stick and smacked McCarron in the leg, the big man responded with a Oscar-worthy acting job, feigning like he had been slashed on the wrist.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 20 Mar. 2026
Thanks for being there and at least feigning interest in my oddball life.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
Dillon Brooks antagonizing, Devin Booker feigning indifference.
—Jason Quick, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Camille smirks into her wine, feigning terror but secretly gleeful at the display.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Akhparian asked while patting himself down and feigning to be in search of a weapon.
—Linh Tat, Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
Taylor ran his route perfectly, feigning a move to his left before turning upfield and finding a sliver of open space in the end zone.
—Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feigning
Noun
-
That meant the party was themed to a simulation of a simulation, a trippy, irreverent-chic, multistory experience beginning with a step-and-repeat in front of a porta-potty, naturally.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
9 Dec. 2025
-
From thousands of miles away, safety personnel can intervene in emergencies by taking control via real-time remote simulation cockpits and 360-degree panoramic footage.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The criminals then follow up by phone, pretending to be IT support and ask employees to join screen-sharing sessions or install remote-access software.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
When Cantor wasn’t pretending to call a game or singing Rod Stewart hits, Petruska said talk invariably turned to dreams and aspirations.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
The rest have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, fraud and forgery charges.—
Jacques Billeaud,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
The Riverside Sheriff's Department began an investigation into Renee Wilson in March, and the 51-year-old was arrested Tuesday on one count of misappropriation of public funds, three counts of grand theft, two counts of embezzlement by a public officer, and four counts of forgery.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Others focus on simulating how the sun’s plasma and magnetic fields interact or on how its surface magnetic field changes over time.—
Sarah Scoles,
Scientific American,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Engineers can also have smart agents testing their designs, ideas, and simulating potential outcomes.—
Justin Hotard,
Fortune,
7 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The job in Hong Kong was a fake.—
Ladan Anoushfar,
CNN Money,
24 Nov. 2025
-
Thornhill denied taking the baseball, which was a fake.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That works out to roughly four reusable water bottles per day for men and about three for women, assuming bottles are in the standard 24- to 32-ounce range.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
-
And that’s assuming the deal, set to be signed Friday, proves durable.—
David McHugh,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
To me, the result didn’t taste like a cheap counterfeit but a breakthrough.—
Kevin West,
Travel + Leisure,
9 June 2026
-
Unprosecuted crimes against the public — such as the widespread sale of 78-cent postage stamps for 19 cents to 59 cents, rolls of 100, counterfeits all, for years online.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Mayim Bialik made her Big Bang Theory debut on season 3 as Amy, a neurobiologist who joined the gang under the pretense of being a potential love match for Sheldon via an online dating site.—
Grace Gavilanes,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
-
This year, McVay avoided any pretense of suspense.—
Gary Klein,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Feigning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feigning. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
