feigned shock

USAGE SUMMARY

'feigned shock' is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
You can use it when indicating an insincere or unreal show of surprise or dismay. For example: "He acted with feigned shock when I told him I was resigning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Mr. Melendez feigned shock.

The New York Times

Levin feigned shock.

The New Yorker

Nasri shoved just a little too hard, Vardy feigned shock and tumbled backwards.

The Guardian - Sport

Several of Manning's teammates feigned shock when they learned of Manning's hosting opportunity.

The New York Times - Sports

All the feigned shock and awe about Rafael Palmeiro's steroid use is about as newsworthy as the runaway bride.

The New York Times

"Or, 'Why on earth are you kissing that woman?' " Mr. Hoggett responded with laughter and feigned shock as he often did in their interviews together.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

He guided her hand onto his crotch, feigning shock.

The New York Times - Arts

"Look who's here!" she says in the video, feigning shock.

The New York Times - Magazine

Underwood, dressed elegantly in a flowered skirt, turquoise jacket and heels, dropped her jaw, feigning shock.

The Washington Post

Print, radio and TV jumped on the photos and reported the story with breathless excitement, feigning shock and awe.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That has led some to express a feeling of abandonment — a sense that the high-level officials are feigning shock over a system everyone happily embraced.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feigned shock" to subtly convey a character's insincerity or manipulation without explicitly stating it. This can add depth and nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "feigned shock" too frequently, as it can become repetitive. Vary your descriptions of insincerity by using synonyms like "pretended surprise" or showing the character's lack of genuine emotion through their actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feigned shock" primarily functions as a descriptive element, modifying a noun to indicate the quality of the shock being displayed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to express an insincere or unreal display of surprise.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feigned shock" is a commonly used phrase to describe an insincere or pretended display of surprise. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in written English and is primarily used to convey insincerity or manipulation. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "simulated shock" and "pretended shock". When writing, avoid overuse and consider varying your descriptions to maintain reader engagement. The phrase is grammatically sound and used consistently across various authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Simulated shock

Replaces "feigned" with "simulated", emphasizing the artificial nature of the shock.

Pretended shock

Substitutes "feigned" with "pretended", highlighting the act of pretending to be shocked.

False shock

Uses "false" instead of "feigned", indicating the shock is not genuine.

Faked shock

Replaces "feigned" with "faked", implying the shock is not real.

Sham shock

Uses "sham" instead of "feigned", suggesting the shock is a deception.

Affected shock

Substitutes "feigned" with "affected", emphasizing the artificiality of the displayed shock.

Insincere shock

Directly states the shock is not sincere, replacing "feigned" with "insincere".

Put-on shock

Uses the idiomatic expression "put-on" to indicate the shock is an act.

Manufactured shock

Implies the shock was deliberately created or staged, using "manufactured" in place of "feigned".

Counterfeit shock

Uses "counterfeit" to denote that the shock is an imitation and not real.

FAQs

How can I use "feigned shock" in a sentence?

You can use "feigned shock" to describe someone pretending to be surprised or dismayed. For instance, "He responded with "feigned shock" when he heard the news, but I knew he had been expecting it all along."

What's a good alternative to "feigned shock"?

Alternatives include "pretended surprise", "simulated horror", or "insincere dismay". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever appropriate to use "feigned shock" in formal writing?

Yes, "feigned shock" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to convey insincerity or pretense in a subtle, sophisticated manner. Just ensure it aligns with the overall tone and purpose of your piece.

What is the difference between "feigned shock" and "genuine surprise"?

"Feigned shock" indicates an insincere or pretended display of surprise, while "genuine surprise" reflects an authentic, heartfelt reaction to something unexpected. One is a performance, the other is a true emotion.