feigned

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "feigned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is not genuine or is pretended, often in the context of emotions or actions. Example: "She feigned surprise when she saw the birthday party, even though she had known about it for weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Gorbachev feigned ignorance, but it was enough to prevent any further donations.

The Guardian

Recoil, feigned outrage – secret fascination?

The Guardian - Arts

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Spain's prime minister, has regained respect for belatedly pushing through reforms that cost him his leadership.Mr Berlusconi's friends feigned indignation at his treatment; supporters organised a "laugh-in" outside the French embassy in Rome Germanyy commands greater courtesy).

The Economist

This was dubbed the "aw, shucks" defence by prosecutors, who argued that he feigned ignorance but was, in fact, a micro-manager who even bothered to endorse the idea of saving money by scrapping free coffee for staff.

The Economist

The sympathy was not feigned: most European leaders know they would struggle to win a referendum on Lisbon.

The Economist

While loyalist ministers queued up to express poorly feigned surprise at Ms Short's "timing" and "self-indulgence", Downing Street insisted that the prime minister was too busy telephoning "world leaders" about that second resolution to deal with Ms Short just yet.

The Economist

On a September evening ten years ago Mr Whitman lit a candle again, held it to his head, burned away clumps of gray hairs and patted out the flames, as he had done for decades, to the delight and feigned horror of two teenage girls.

The Economist

Homophobia is feigned as a way of asserting one's heterosexuality; being gay is still unusual enough to be the most regular subject of school gossip.Related topics Electric vehicles Technology Automotive technology Science and technology Britain's ParliamentOn immigration and Europe, mine is a generation that has never heard a counter-argument to the United Kingdom Independence Party.

The Economist

True, Tony Blair, and probably Gordon Brown, would have talked more about sovereign debt crises, the euro and the geo-economic panorama, and at least feigned some influence over the situation.

The Economist

Mr Alfonsín currently polls in the teens and the other two are in single digits.But might it be that Ms Fernández's ambivalence is not in fact feigned?

The Economist

Around the same time, London's Pall Mall Gazette detailed the lives of child prostitutes and greedy procuresses in a series billed as "abominable, unutterable, and worse than fables yet have feigned, or fear conceived".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feigned" to specifically denote a deliberate act of pretending, particularly when describing emotions or reactions that are not genuinely felt. This adds a layer of intentionality to your writing.

Common error

While "feigned" is a perfectly valid word, avoid using it too frequently in casual or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "faked" or "pretended" may be more appropriate and sound less pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The word "feigned" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that something is not genuine or real. According to Ludwig AI, the word is usable in written English to describe something that is pretended. Examples in the search data show its use in describing emotions like "feigned horror" or actions like "feigned ignorance".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "feigned", meaning not genuine or pretended, is commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and encyclopedic sources. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English when describing something that is not genuine or is pretended. As an adjective, it often describes emotions or actions, such as "feigned ignorance" or "feigned horror". While grammatically correct, consider using simpler alternatives like "faked" or "pretended" in informal settings. Common errors include overuse in casual contexts, which can make the writing seem pretentious. Related phrases include "simulated", "pretended", and "sham". Overall, "feigned" effectively communicates insincerity or pretense, adding depth to descriptions of actions and emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faked

A simpler, more direct synonym for "feigned", often used in informal contexts.

sham

Describes something fake or deceptive intended to create a false impression.

pretended

A more common and straightforward way to describe something that is not real or genuine.

affected

Implies an artificial or exaggerated behavior adopted to impress.

fabricated

Indicates something invented or concocted, usually with deceitful intent.

simulated

Expresses a replication or imitation, often used in technical or scientific contexts.

counterfeit

Denotes something made to imitate something else with the intent to deceive.

assumed

Suggests taking on a characteristic or appearance, often temporarily.

artificial

Describes something made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally, implying a lack of genuineness.

put-on

Suggests a deceptive act or pretense, often intended as a joke or to trick someone.

FAQs

How do you use "feigned" in a sentence?

"Feigned" is typically used as an adjective to describe something that is pretended or not genuine. For example, "She offered a "feigned apology", but her eyes revealed her true feelings."

What can I say instead of "feigned"?

You can use alternatives like "pretended", "faked", "simulated", or "sham" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "feigned" and "pretended"?

While both imply something is not genuine, "feigned" often suggests a more deliberate and calculated act of pretense, while "pretended" can be a more general term for not being real.

Is it always negative to describe something as "feigned"?

Generally, yes. Describing something as "feigned" implies a lack of sincerity and often carries a negative connotation, suggesting deception or insincerity. However, context is key.