feign

USAGE SUMMARY

'feign' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You would use 'feign' to describe something someone is pretending or simulating. For example: The actor feigned sadness as his character said goodbye to his beloved.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We always feign surprise when an actor of ours is embraced by Hollywood.

The Guardian - Film

The women said they resisted instructions from Zanu-PF supporters to feign illiteracy, blindness or physical injury, which would have meant someone else marking the ballot on their behalf.

The Guardian

That move will send shockwaves through Portuguese football, and force hipsters in England to feign excitement, even though in truth they care more about what's happening at Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, deep down, but are too worried about their image to say.

The Guardian - Sport

This is why, as another defeated middle-aged man who no longer believes in anything, obliged to feign conviction for financial gain, I understand David Cameron.

The Guardian - Opinion

He insists that he will not give in to resentment nor will he feign a suffering for what happened to his biological parents that he has not felt himself.

The Guardian

"And we're going to go through the same cycles of periodic violence, and the occasional riots in the streets, and everybody will feign concern until it goes away, and then we go about our business as usual".

The Guardian

Tony Blair did not feign centrism when he was winning all those elections; he believed in it.

The Economist

Watching him on the hustings yesterday trying to feign a righteous anger he does not feel, I could only hear Yeats.

The Economist

Mr Obama has learned to show a bit more warmth, or at least to feign it.

The Economist

When is the last time anybody heard Vice-President Dick Cheney even feign a word of concern for the world's poor?Last month Mr Bush made a speech to the General Assembly of the United Nations.

The Economist

Clipping foreskins certainly reduces the ability of outsiders to feign membership or kinship.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feign" when you want to emphasize the act of pretending or giving a false appearance of something, especially a feeling or condition. It often implies a deliberate intention to deceive or mislead.

Common error

Avoid confusing "feign", which means to pretend, with "faint", which means to lose consciousness. While someone might "feign" illness, they would actually "faint" if they lost consciousness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "feign" is as a transitive verb. It requires an object to complete its meaning, indicating what is being pretended or simulated. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this, showing it consistently used with a direct object such as "feign surprise" or "feign excitement".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

19%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Unknown

5%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feign" is a verb used to describe the act of pretending or simulating something, often with the intention to deceive or mislead. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the word is grammatically correct and frequently used in written English. It is commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific texts, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register. While synonyms like "pretend" and "simulate" exist, "feign" often carries a stronger connotation of deliberate deception. Remember to avoid confusing it with the word "faint". By understanding its nuances and contexts, you can effectively use "feign" in your writing to convey the precise meaning you intend.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Pretend

A general term for acting as if something is true when it is not, often used in everyday situations.

Act as if

Behave in a way that suggests something is true, even if it is not.

Make believe

Engage in pretense; imagine.

Simulate

Refers to creating a likeness or imitation of something, often used in technical or scientific contexts.

Dissemble

Conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs.

Sham

Suggests a deceptive imitation, often with the intent to mislead or deceive.

Affect

To put on a pretense of having a particular feeling or quality.

Assume

To take on a particular quality or appearance, often temporarily or falsely.

Counterfeit

To imitate fraudulently.

Put on airs

Behave affectedly superior or self-important.

FAQs

How do you use "feign" in a sentence?

You can use "feign" to indicate pretending to have a feeling or condition. For instance, "He had to "feign interest" in his colleague's boring story".

What is a synonym for "feign"?

A synonym for "feign" is "pretend". Other similar words include "simulate", "dissemble", and "sham".

What is the difference between "feign" and "pretend"?

"Feign" often implies a more deliberate or deceptive intent than "pretend". While "pretend" can be used in innocent or playful contexts, "feign" suggests a more serious or intentional act of deception.

Is it correct to say "feign ignorance"?

Yes, it is correct to say "feign ignorance". It means to pretend not to know something, often to avoid responsibility or involvement.