feign disinterest

USAGE SUMMARY

"feign disinterest" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
Feign means to pretend, so when you feign disinterest you are pretending to not be interested. You can use this phrase when you want to express that someone is pretending not to be interested in something. For example, "Although he pretended to feign disinterest, I could tell he was really excited about the prospect of winning the race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He doesn't even feign disinterest.

The New Yorker

Mr. Argott also doesn't feign disinterest.

The New York Times

Agnetha is just as paralyzed as Nancy, but, because she is a scientist, she must feign disinterest at all times, especially when she meets and interviews Ralph.

The New Yorker

He points out that some "bored" kids may really need more of a challenge in the classroom, while others may feign disinterest as a way to cover up that they feel like they're falling behind.

The Washington Post

She'd feign disinterest or annoyance whenever she knew we were there.

Huffington Post

It's galling to imagine a qualified, eager caregiver forced to feign disinterest when approached for work by social services.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It matters not if the rest of the world feigns disinterest.

The Guardian - Sport

She's like a band pretending it's not coming back for an encore, or a con man feigning disinterest in one last con.

The New Yorker

At first, Serge feigned disinterest, but before long they were shacked up in Oscar Wilde's old Parisian hotel room and recording the track for which, outside France, she is still most famous.

Independent

While his pioneering peers of the first dot-com era embraced and popularized the "open kimono," Bezos has always viewed stealthiness as an asset, masking new initiatives inside larger expenditures and feigning disinterest in burgeoning favorites.

Forbes

Various orange cats lolled about his place feigning disinterest in everything.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feign disinterest" to subtly convey that a character or subject is not genuinely uninterested, adding depth to their actions or motivations.

Common error

Avoid using "feign disinterest" when you simply mean someone lacks information or understanding. Disinterest implies a deliberate pretense, not ignorance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feign disinterest" functions as a verb phrase, where 'feign' acts as a transitive verb taking 'disinterest' as its direct object. It is used to describe the act of pretending to be uninterested. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feign disinterest" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes the act of pretending to be uninterested. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys deception or concealment of true feelings. While not exceedingly common, it appears in a range of reliable news sources, and wiki contexts. Related phrases include "pretend indifference" and "simulate lack of interest", offering alternative ways to express the same concept. When using this phrase, ensure you're accurately portraying a deliberate act of pretense, not simply a lack of knowledge. In conclusion, understanding the nuances of "feigning disinterest" allows for precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pretend indifference

Focuses on the act of pretending, similar to "feign", but replaces "disinterest" with "indifference".

simulate lack of interest

Replaces "feign" with "simulate" and restructures the noun phrase.

fake apathy

Uses a more concise term, "apathy", to convey a similar lack of concern, making it a shorter and more direct alternative.

display a false sense of detachment

Expands on the idea of faking, specifying "detachment" as the quality being falsely displayed.

put on an act of unconcern

Emphasizes the performative aspect with "put on an act", replacing "disinterest" with "unconcern".

conceal interest

Shifts the focus to hiding interest rather than showing disinterest, changing the active element.

mask enthusiasm

Highlights the suppression of enthusiasm, the opposite of disinterest, to achieve the same communicative purpose.

affect indifference

Uses the term "affect" which carries a slightly more formal tone, signaling pretense.

play it cool

Represents a more idiomatic and informal way to express a similar concept of hiding one's true interest.

feign boredom

Focuses specifically on pretending to be bored as a manifestation of disinterest.

FAQs

How can I use "feign disinterest" in a sentence?

You can use "feign disinterest" to describe someone pretending not to be interested, like in the sentence: "He tried to "feign disinterest", but his eyes betrayed his curiosity."

What are some alternatives to "feign disinterest"?

Alternatives include phrases like "pretend indifference", "simulate lack of interest", or "fake apathy", which all convey a similar meaning of pretending to be uninterested.

Is it more appropriate to say "feign disinterest" or "show disinterest"?

"Feign disinterest" implies pretense, while "show disinterest" simply means to display a lack of interest, genuine or not. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the act of pretending.

What's the difference between "feign disinterest" and "feign ignorance"?

"Feign disinterest" means to pretend not to be interested, while "feign ignorance" means to pretend not to know something. They describe different types of pretense.