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
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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
Bluesky Social, 22 Aug. 2025
When Devon essentially goes undercover as a Michaela disciple to keep an eye on Simone, Fahy gets to embody a friction between her character’s actual and feigned personalities that’s delightful to watch.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 22 May 2025
Jen Rose Smith, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
This week on Raw, Lynch and Rollins feigned those communication issues to allow Lynch to execute a cheap attack on Lee.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for feigned
Adjective
You are supposed to participate in a pantomime of feigned shock and delayed recognition.
—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.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for feigned
Adjective
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The semi-annual sale includes so many elegant staples, such as mock-neck cardigans, jackets with unique embellishments, and comfortable pants that look super polished — all starting at just $20.—
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She’s arrived early for her first shift and has already started the residents and med students on some training by way of mock codes.—
Adjective
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Punter Sean West — whose long 24-yard heave on a fake punt outgained every quarterback on the roster.—
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Green expertly applies fake eyelashes, thick foundation and a dessert brown eye look, while Messina goes to work piling tight curls atop my head.—
Verb
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Humanoid robots shadowboxed, danced and pretended to run small shops.—
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Other times the chasers have pretended to be the COVID-19 virus.—
Adjective
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Interactions with his wife’s family remain strained; to this day, no one has told 99-year-old Nana that Webster was in prison.—
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That reunion marked the first time that the father and son had seen each other in 19 months amid their strained relationship.—
Adjective
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These ones elevate the trend — pun intended — with comfortable platform soles and double side stripe appliqués.—
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McDonald's has made the Big Arch — a massive double-patty burger — a permanent menu item in the United Kingdom and Ireland.—
Verb
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In the 12 and a half years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired and the two since Sir Jim Ratcliffe assumed control of the club’s football operations, United have evidently not become a better football club.—
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That same year, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was created and assumed control of the program.—
Adjective
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Plants that provide winter interest, including sedums, goldenrod, blue false indigo, and ornamental grasses.—
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Today’s teenagers can produce a TikTok video in minutes, but how many of them will learn to analyze the president’s false claim that Tylenol causes autism?—
Adjective
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The pop of color offers a shimmer-free (rare!) means of warming up a wedding look and works equally well at lip level.—
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By After Testing Over 30 Best Sellers By Siena Gagliano Unlike balms, which can make lip color slide around, a primer locks it in while keeping lips soft and comfortable.—
Cite this Entry
“Feigned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feigned. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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