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Definitions

feigning

[fey-ning] / feɪ nɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
hypocritical
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deceptive duplicitous false insincere sanctimonious self-righteous unnatural
WEAK
affected artificial assuming bland canting captious caviling deluding dissembling double double-dealing faithless fishy fraudulent glib hollow jivey left-handed lying moralistic oily pharisaical phony pietistic pious smooth smooth-spoken smooth-tongued snide specious spurious two-faced unctuous unreliable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
forthright frank genuine honest humble open real truthful
WEAK
actual authentic just reliable righteous sincere upright
ADJECTIVE
Pecksniffian
Synonyms
WEAK
affected artificial assuming bland canting captious caviling deceptive deluding dissembling double double-dealing duplicitous faithless false fishy fraudulent glib hollow insincere jivey left-handed lying moralistic oily pharisaic pharisaical phony pietistic pious sanctimonious self-righteous smooth smooth-spoken smooth-tongued snide specious spurious two-faced unctuous unnatural unreliable
ADJECTIVE
pharisaic
Synonyms
WEAK
Pecksniffian affected artificial assuming bland canting captious caviling deceptive deluding dissembling double double-dealing duplicitous faithless false fishy fraudulent glib hollow insincere jivey left-handed lying moralistic oily pharisaical phony pietistic pious sanctimonious self-righteous smooth smooth-spoken smooth-tongued snide specious spurious two-faced unctuous unnatural unreliable
ADJECTIVE
pharisaical
Synonyms
WEAK
Pecksniffian affected artificial assuming bland canting captious caviling deceptive deluding dissembling double double-dealing duplicitous faithless false fishy fraudulent glib hollow insincere jivey left-handed lying moralistic oily pharisaic phony pietistic pious sanctimonious self-righteous smooth smooth-spoken smooth-tongued snide specious spurious two-faced unctuous unnatural unreliable
NOUN
act
Synonyms
STRONGEST
attitude performance show
STRONG
affectation bit chaser dissimilation fake front phony pose posture pretense put on sham simulation stall stance stunt
WEAK
false front shuck and jive soft soap sweet-talk
Antonyms
STRONG
reality
WEAK
cessation idleness inactivity inertia quiet repose rest stoppage suspension
NOUN
acting
Synonyms
STRONG
assuming characterization depiction dramatics dramatizing enacting enactment hamming histrionics imitating imitation impersonation improvisation mime mimicry pantomime performance playing portrayal portraying posing posturing pretending pretense putting rendition seeming simulating stagecraft stooging theatre theatricals
WEAK
play acting showing off
NOUN
falsehood
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cover-up deceit deception dishonesty distortion fabrication fakery fallacy falsity misstatement perjury prevarication sham tall tale untruth
STRONG
canard dissimulation equivocation erroneousness error fable fallaciousness falseness fib fiction figment fraud hogwash line mendacity pretense story tale untruthfulness whopper yarn
WEAK
fibbery half-truth untruism
Antonyms
STRONGEST
frankness honesty openness truth truthfulness uprightness
STRONG
nonfiction reality
NOUN
pretense
Synonyms
STRONGEST
charade cloak pretext semblance veneer
STRONG
act acting affectation appearance artifice claim deceit deception display dissimulation double-dealing evasion excuse fabrication facade fakery falsification gag guise insincerity invention make believe mask masquerade misrepresentation misstatement ostentation posing posturing pretentiousness routine ruse schtick sham shuffling simulation stall stunt subterfuge trickery veil wile
WEAK
dumb act faking
Antonyms
STRONGEST
reality
STRONG
frankness honesty honor openness quiet simplicity truth truthfulness uprightness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

However, the “Hannah Montana” star did not end her mockery there—going on to accuse Cooper of feigning innocence about the proximity of their properties.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Crisis actor is a derogatory label used by conspiracy theorists to allege that someone is deceiving the public -- feigning injuries or death -- while posing as a victim of a tragic event.

From Barron's • Dec. 16, 2025

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke accused Manchester City's Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" on Saturday so coach Pep Guardiola could get new instructions to his side.

From BBC • Nov. 30, 2025

Colton said she could not have imagined such a possibility when she sat in school, feigning that she had no answers to teachers’ questions simply because she could not see the board.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 14, 2025

A child feigning illness, afraid to call because after a moment's discussion, the conversation would run so: “Yes, Captain, I feel better already. I'll be in at ten o'clock tonight.”

From "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury

Vocabulary lists containing feigning

Vocabulary Heard at the 2016 Republican National Convention

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