feint 1 of 2

feint

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word feint different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of feint are artifice, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, trick, and wile. While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

In what contexts can artifice take the place of feint?

The meanings of artifice and feint largely overlap; however, artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

When might maneuver be a better fit than feint?

While the synonyms maneuver and feint are close in meaning, maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

When could ruse be used to replace feint?

The words ruse and feint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

When is it sensible to use stratagem instead of feint?

In some situations, the words stratagem and feint are roughly equivalent. However, stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.

the stratagem-filled game

When can trick be used instead of feint?

The words trick and feint can be used in similar contexts, but trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

Where would wile be a reasonable alternative to feint?

The synonyms wile and feint are sometimes interchangeable, but wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.

used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

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 feint
Noun
When the second Trump Administration, during its first week, feinted toward freezing federal funding programs, universities were among the institutions whose blood ran cold. Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025 The fire was now moving like a prowling carnivore, feinting down one street a few blocks away and then changing its mind and slithering down a different avenue. Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
Which should have been a clue that the entire premise of Season 2 is an extended feint. Alison Herman, Variety, 26 May 2025 Jose Ramirez Breakdown Ramirez uses level changes and feints to set up his positioning and range and to pick up on the tendencies of his opponents. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for feint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feint
Noun
  • This wide, unruffled stretch of water framed by wooded bluffs is prime bald eagle territory.
    Giovanna Dell'orto, Twin Cities, 13 July 2025
  • Thus, the new project is to be built 25 feet from the bluff.
    Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Fossil fuel interests disguise their obstruction as free-market pragmatism.
    Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • But dark secrets and hormones become issues, thanks to their latest enemy: demons disguised as a hunky boy band.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • This maneuver effectively circumvented the legislative process, bypassing public hearings, stakeholder consultation, and committee deliberation.
    Marcel Rodarte, Oc Register, 8 July 2025
  • This is a fairly typical maneuver for NORAD jets enforcing temporary restrictions in the airspace around where the president is.
    Adeola Adeosun Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • Speculation online has included allegations that the federal government was concealing information to shield powerful and prominent figures who were allegedly named in case records.
    Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 11 July 2025
  • Meanwhile, her makeup turned more matte with concealed under eyes like at The Blonds Fall 2014 show.
    India Espy-Jones, Essence, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • So ranked-choice voting was implemented as a stop-loss remedy — a move to camouflage the practices of an industry devoted to meretricious, often nihilistic entertainments.
    Armond White, National Review, 27 June 2025
  • That shaft was later concealed and camouflaged, more recent imagery also shows.
    Vasco Cotovio, CNN Money, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • The free-living, hard-drinking Brett uses wit and jollity to mask her inner desperation.
    Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025
  • And while users in plenty of places around the world cannot access the free internet without these location and identity masking tools — that’s not the case anywhere in the U.S.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • When Naomi discovers that Nicholas, too, has been feigning contentment, the two of them go head-to-head in a battle of pranks, sabotage, and all-out emotional warfare.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 9 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Feint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feint. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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