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Some common synonyms of feign<\/em> are affect<\/em><\/a>, assume<\/em><\/a>, counterfeit<\/em><\/a>, pretend<\/em><\/a>, sham<\/em><\/a>, and simulate<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"to put on a false or deceptive appearance,\" feign<\/em> implies more artful invention than pretend<\/em>, less specific mimicry than simulate<\/em>.<\/p>

\/\/ feigned<\/em> sickness<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'affect' be used instead of 'feign'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of affect<\/em><\/a> and feign<\/em> largely overlap; however, affect<\/em> implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling.<\/p>

\/\/ affected<\/em> an interest in art<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'assume' a more appropriate choice than 'feign'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words assume<\/em><\/a> and feign<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, assume<\/em> often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive.<\/p>

\/\/ assumed<\/em> an air of cheerfulness around the patients<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'counterfeit' be used to replace 'feign'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words counterfeit<\/em><\/a> and feign<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but counterfeit<\/em> implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words.<\/p>

\/\/ an actor counterfeiting<\/em> drunkenness<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'pretend' be a better fit than 'feign'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms pretend<\/em><\/a> and feign<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but pretend<\/em> implies an overt and sustained false appearance.<\/p>

\/\/ pretended<\/em> that nothing had happened<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'sham' instead of 'feign'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words sham<\/em><\/a> and feign<\/em> have much in common, sham<\/em> implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible.<\/p>

\/\/ shammed<\/em> a most unconvincing limp<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'simulate' be a good substitute for 'feign'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms simulate<\/em><\/a> and feign<\/em> are close in meaning, simulate<\/em> suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something.<\/p>

\/\/ cosmetics that simulate<\/em> a suntan<\/p>" } } ] }

feign

verb

ˈfān How to pronounce feign (audio)
Definition of feignnext
as in to pretend
to present a false appearance of I would never feign illness just to get out of a test

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb feign contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of feign are affect, assume, counterfeit, pretend, sham, and simulate. While all these words mean "to put on a false or deceptive appearance," feign implies more artful invention than pretend, less specific mimicry than simulate.

feigned sickness

When can affect be used instead of feign?

The meanings of affect and feign largely overlap; however, affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling.

affected an interest in art

When is assume a more appropriate choice than feign?

In some situations, the words assume and feign are roughly equivalent. However, assume often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive.

assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients

When could counterfeit be used to replace feign?

The words counterfeit and feign can be used in similar contexts, but counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words.

an actor counterfeiting drunkenness

When might pretend be a better fit than feign?

The synonyms pretend and feign are sometimes interchangeable, but pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance.

pretended that nothing had happened

When is it sensible to use sham instead of feign?

Although the words sham and feign have much in common, sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible.

shammed a most unconvincing limp

When would simulate be a good substitute for feign?

While the synonyms simulate and feign are close in meaning, simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something.

cosmetics that simulate a suntan

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 feign Sanchez's 12-year-old son, Marcus Figueroa, was stabbed 25 times and feigned death in order to survive. —Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026 Dillon Brooks antagonizing, Devin Booker feigning indifference. —Jason Quick, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026 Alvarez feigned to poke Ruiz with his bat after the review. —Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 2 Mar. 2026 The reason for his astonishment, real or perhaps somewhat feigned? —Dylan Heinrich, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for feign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feign
  1. pretend
  2. simulate
  3. assume
Verb
  • An unremarkable skit with host Tina Fey pretending to be Mary Poppins.
    — Scott Bryan, Variety, 22 Mar. 2026
  • That's the county JD Vance pretends to be from.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of pretend
Verb
  • By comparing health records against medications, researchers can essentially simulate treatment under individual drugs.
    — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Steele’s hamstring didn’t bother him when throwing from 75 feet, so the Cubs treated heavy catch play days in the form of up-downs to simulate making a start.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of simulate
Verb
  • Gentry has served Charlotte since 1991 and assumed official leadership of the airport in 2021.
    — Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
  • As explained by the bank earlier in the week, its commodities strategists expect Brent crude to average $105 in March, spike to $115 in April, and then gradually retreat to $80 in the fourth quarter, assuming flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain severely disrupted for roughly six weeks.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of assume

Browse Nearby Words

feet of clay
feign
feigned
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Cite this Entry

“Feign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feign. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on feign

Nglish: Translation of feign for Spanish Speakers

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