feign

[feyn] / feɪn /

VERB

pretend

Synonyms

STRONG

act affect assume bluff counterfeit devise dissemble dissimulate fabricate fake forge imagine imitate invent play sham simulate stonewall

WEAK

do a bit four-flush give appearance of make show of phony up play possum put on put on act put up a front

Antonyms

STRONG

be honest tell the truth

WEAK

be true

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.

The difference: Your guests won’t have to feign enthusiasm after the thirtieth photo of you “holding up” the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

Still, the Dodgers won’t feign passivity this time.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2025

But more recently, the narcissist has become a villain of personal and political narratives, a slimy creature that can only feign humanity, at least in the popular imagination.

From Slate • Jul. 23, 2025

I would feign shock or dismay at its popularity if I didn’t already know that we are a nation of self-serving masochists.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2025

So I feign sickness, get permission to stay home.

From "Every Day" by David Levithan

Vocabulary lists containing feign

Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 1

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Romeo and Juliet

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ASVAB Word Knowledge

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