feign outrage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feign outrage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who is pretending to be angry or offended, often for effect or to manipulate a situation. Example: "During the debate, the politician chose to feign outrage over the accusations to gain sympathy from the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

And if that happens, you can't feign outrage over their subsequent response.

The New York Times - Magazine

On a daily basis, these people bemoan, detest and feign outrage over utter fantasies.

The New York Times

But if you'd prefer to neglect your parental duties, please don't feign outrage when I set your child straight.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mainstream Republicans may feign outrage at Trump's bigotry, but bigotry has been paying the party's bills for a long time.

The Guardian

"Governor Huckabee cannot just stand by and feign outrage as these coordinated attacks are made in his name and for his benefit".

The New York Times

Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich, who incurred fines when he sat his stars against Miami earlier in the season, took the opportunity after the game to feign outrage at Erik Spoelstra's decision to let his stars rest.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Recoil, feigned outrage – secret fascination?

The Guardian - Arts

It was no use feigning outrage.

The New York Times

After the audience politely applauded his entrance, he feigned outrage.

The New York Times

"Those are trade secrets!" he said, feigning outrage.

The New York Times

Feigning outrage, Marc grabbed the form from Vassili's hand.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feign outrage" when you want to convey that someone is insincerely displaying anger or indignation, often to achieve a specific effect or manipulate a situation. Be mindful of the audience and context to ensure the phrase resonates appropriately.

Common error

Avoid using "feign outrage" when describing someone's actual emotional response. This phrase implies a lack of sincerity, so ensure your word choice accurately reflects the person's true feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feign outrage" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, describing the action of pretending to be angry or offended. This implies a deliberate act of insincerity, as indicated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feign outrage" is a commonly used expression to describe someone pretending to be angry or shocked. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its prevalent use in News & Media contexts. It is used to express skepticism about the sincerity of someone's emotional display. Alternatives include "pretend to be outraged" or "simulate indignation", offering various shades of formality and emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intent to portray insincerity, avoiding its application to genuine emotional responses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Simulate indignation

Replaces "outrage" with "indignation", focusing on a formal type of anger simulation.

Fake indignation

Uses "fake" instead of "feign", which is less formal.

Pretend to be outraged

Employs a more explicit verb phrase.

Display false anger

Focuses on the external display of anger rather than the internal feeling.

Put on a show of outrage

Highlights the performative aspect of the emotion.

Act as if offended

Shifts the focus to the pretense of being offended.

Make a pretense of outrage

Emphasizes the artificiality of the expressed emotion.

Profess to be indignant

Employs 'profess' suggesting a declared but possibly insincere feeling.

Exaggerate one's anger

Focuses on amplifying genuine anger, rather than faking it outright.

Manufacture a scandalized reaction

Highlights the artificial creation of a response.

FAQs

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

You can use "feign outrage" to describe someone pretending to be angry or shocked. For example, "The politician chose to feign outrage over the accusations to gain sympathy from the audience."

What does it mean to "feign outrage"?

To "feign outrage" means to pretend to be angry or shocked, often insincerely. It suggests that the person is not genuinely feeling the emotion but is putting on an act.

What are some alternatives to "feign outrage"?

You can use alternatives like "pretend to be outraged", "simulate indignation", or "fake indignation" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "feign outrage"?

It is appropriate to use "feign outrage" when you want to emphasize that someone is insincerely displaying anger or indignation, often for manipulative or performative purposes.