FEIGNED Synonyms: 165 Similar and Opposite Words

feigned 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfānd

Definition of feigned

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

feigned

2 of 2

verb

past tense of feign

as in pretended

to present a false appearance of I would never feign illness just to get out of a test

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 feigned

Adjective

The scam operations typically involve bogus investment schemes and feigned romances that collectively extort tens of billions of dollars from victims around the world every year. — ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026 That leaves only the feigned feud between Paul and Gronkowski — Brady’s longtime pal and New England Patriots teammate. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026

Verb

Whenever the real Rhodes was bludgeoned in the ring (his injuries themselves feigned as part of pro wrestling’s playacting), the fake one came to Theresa with his medical bills. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026 Even Republicans, who usually feigned ignorance about the President’s social-media outbursts, were weighing in. — Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for feigned

Recent Examples of Synonyms for feigned

Adjective

Instead of dwelling on the crime, the owners decided to respond with humor, posting the video on Instagram with a mock 0-star review for the burglary crew.

— Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
After Max tortures them in a mock-trial confrontation in their living room, Tom eventually tackles Max into the backyard pool.

— Benjamin VanHoose, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

Definition of mock

Adjective

Is this the same Panthea who hates anyone fake or putting things on?

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026
Alongside its launch, Onton released research revealing that current top AI models struggle to filter out fake content and biased reviews—proving that today’s systems simply aren’t built for modern, noisy web environments.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of fake

Verb

Unafraid of sinking as low as possible at the welfare office, Dennis pretended to be recovering from a crack problem while Dee feigned intellectual disability, but the caseworker wasn’t buying it.

— Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
The hacker pretended to be one of the furniture company's employees and changed the vendor's bank account on file with Children's.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Definition of pretended

Adjective

Murphy, working with Ellis, has expanded the already-strained novel into a nine-episode drama that reaches no conclusion by its finale.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026
Elsewhere during the trip, Steven and Kacie finally repaired their strained relationship after months of tension.

— Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of strained

Adjective

When Debbie, Susan, and Thom come over for a double-date pizza night, only Bret is concerned about the spate of recent home invasions, the missing pets, and the desecration of the griffin mascot.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
Jorge Polanco, who snapped an 0-for-26 streak in the third inning with just his second homer of the season, keyed the rally with a two-out double off the left-field wall.

— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of double

Verb

Since Escola, who won a Tony for playing Mary, left the production, tons of famous faces have assumed the part including Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess, Betty Gilpin, Maya Rudolph and Meg Stalter.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026
Her current role will be assumed by new General Counsel Jennifer Newstead.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of assumed

Adjective

There are factors that could tilt in favor of Fauci’s strategy, including the fact that his pardon would not protect him from potential state prosecutions or from a federal prosecution related to any testimony that investigators deemed false.

— Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Yet, the suit added, county officials later acknowledged that was false; no one from DCFS saw Sophia in person after that September 2021 report.

— Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of false

Adjective

Likewise, lip masks designed to be worn overnight can provide improved hydration and comfort over daytime treatments.

— Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 25 Mar. 2026
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Tatianna points to cinnamon as a conductor of heat—one commonly used in lip plumper products to achieve a sultry pout.

— Essence, Essence, 23 Nov. 2025

Definition of lip

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feign

feigned

feigner

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“Feigned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feigned. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of feigned

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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