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
His final putt on the 72nd hole of the Houston Open was a mere eight inches, yet Lee feinted to use AimPoint to line up his shot. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025 The reveal that precocious little Maisie Lockwood is actually a clone gives a human face to the vague ethical quandary Fallen Kingdom feints at. James Grebey, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
In the above video, Edwards throws a jab and feint, and follows it up with a head kick that sends Rosta to the canvas. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025 But, like Eze, Paz has a voracious appetite for take-ons, constantly looking to burst past opponents with clever feints and elegant jinks. Elias Burke, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for feint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feint
Noun
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on the shores of Lake Michigan features miles of sand beach, lush forests, clear inland lakes, unique flora and fauna, towering bluffs, an island lighthouse, coastal villages, picturesque farmsteads and more.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The family lives near the bluff in Searcy County.
    Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Masked thieves disguised as construction workers struck in front of visitors and staff Sunday morning, a period described as one of the museum’s most chaotic, authorities said.
    Bonny Chu , Ronn Blitzer, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Fabio speaks of Stanton’s homes in New York and Fire Island as social rooms with a jukebox at the center, a portrait studio disguised as a life among friends.
    Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Rollins was seen favoring his shoulder after executing a coast-to-coast maneuver.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The pilot, who holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate and multiple commercial ratings, attempted an emergency maneuver with the rotors when the engine cut out, but that was unsuccessful and resulted in a hard landing, according to authorities.
    Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Prosecutors also alleged Friday that between December 2024 and September 2025, Blain destroyed or concealed city communications that were public records subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act.
    Susan Gill Vardon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Shoplifting over $100 by concealing.
    Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The island cabinetry’s mint color is mirrored in the adjacent dining room, where coffered jib doors camouflage a dry bar with funky wallpaper and a small desk space with additional shelving and storage.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2025
  • This isn't Jeff Bridich asking Nolan Arenado to start waving pom-poms to camouflage the team's horrible pitching.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Reddin and the other candidates ran, in part, in strong opposition to mask mandates during COVID-19.
    Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
  • But those gains masked Macy’s problems.
    Phil Wahba, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Pioneering journalist Nellie Bly feigned mental illness to gain admittance to the Women’s Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell’s Island in New York (now known as Roosevelt Island) in 1887.
    Jen Rose Smith, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Travis Kelce is feigning ignorance about that spicy new Taylor Swift track.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Feint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feint. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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