1
as in mock
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
the feigned applause that polite people give after a bad concert
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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
Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025
Behind the feigned admiration lurks a depth charge of judgement or criticism.
—John Bowe, Contributor, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025
Sugarcane repeats Obama’s feigned concern for the plight of indigenous people that first worked magic in 2008, an America-last doc about Canada’s Sugarcane reserve.
—Armond White, National Review, 17 Jan. 2025
If responding to questions with feigned but believable thoughtfulness was all that mattered, Lindsey Graham would be President.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for feigned
Adjective
Fey and Poehler interrupted the host’s monologue, much to his (feigned) surprise, and critiqued his joke telling.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025
Behind the feigned admiration lurks a depth charge of judgement or criticism.
—John Bowe, Contributor, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025
Sugarcane repeats Obama’s feigned concern for the plight of indigenous people that first worked magic in 2008, an America-last doc about Canada’s Sugarcane reserve.
—Armond White, National Review, 17 Jan. 2025
If responding to questions with feigned but believable thoughtfulness was all that mattered, Lindsey Graham would be President.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for feigned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feigned
Adjective
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In mock drafts, Hampton is often mocked to the early twenties or even late twenties to a team like the Washington Commanders.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Afterward, a mock court-martial was held, complete with the sentencing and execution of a private accused of desertion.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
These platforms sell complete phishing kits—web hosting, SMS delivery systems, fake landing pages, encryption tools—to other cybercriminals who want to run scams at scale.—
Alex Vakulov,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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Days later, Johnson was photographed on set with fake blood splattered across her face and clothes.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Seemingly as a gag to portray a darker Buddy, Ferrell held what appeared to be an unlit cigarette in his mouth and pretended to smoke it.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA TODAY,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Oh Il-nam (Oh Yeong-su), a dying old man who pretended to be Gi-hun’s ally in the game.—
Josh Wigler,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
But the discussion around Golden this season has been muted, strained and careful all the way to the end, Monday’s dramatic 65-63 comeback win against Houston to seize the title.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Throughout the series, the strained relationship between father and son highlights the repercussions of family communication breakdowns.—
Laurel Donnellan,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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By that same time next year, Munn had a nipple delay procedure, lymph node dissection, a double mastectomy, and reconstructive surgery.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
10 Apr. 2025
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By the time Survivor’s post-merge double elimination episode was complete, only one original Vula member stood to live another day.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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On the other end, Gibbs began to slither his way into open space, and the Lions assumed full control.—
Alec Lewis,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
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As an incentive for the teams to stick around, the city assumed ownership of the land but agreed to give it back to the teams at the expiration of a ground lease in 2023, according to documents reviewed by The Post.—
Bennett Durando,
The Denver Post,
5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In the case against Allied Van Lines Moving and Storage, the larger Allied Van Lines Inc. accused the defendant of trademark infringement, false descriptions, federal trademark dilution, cybersquatting, injury to its business reputation and dilution, and misappropriation and unfair competition.—
Ron Hurtibise,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2025
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Nothing progressive or compassionate about continuing that false hope which attracts people to make those journeys.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
2 Mar. 2025
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For lip color, reach for the Merit Beauty Signature lipsticks.—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
22 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Feigned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feigned. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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