feigned surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

"feigned surprise" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when someone pretends to be surprised about something, usually in a disingenuous way. For example: Her feigned surprise at the news was unconvincing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

On encountering an American today, one security official feigned surprise that he was still in Israel.

The New York Times

The Arab magazine Sourakia feigned surprise that Bandar had benefited, according to a Downing Street account of the report.

The Guardian

A video has emerged showing how Gagliardi, 34, feigned surprise as Italian police officers extracted brick after brick of solid cocaine from her wheeled suitcase and backpack.

Independent

After its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival Mr. Mastroianni met with reporters, and when they asked him about the unusual experience of working with two directors on the same film, he feigned surprise.

The New York Times

A woman who gave her name as Khitam, 30, a mother of five, feigned surprise when asked about the new government as she picked through clothes at a vendor's stall here.

The New York Times

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

As I said, there's no reason to feign surprise.

The New York Times

"This is the first I'm hearing this concern!" Mann said, feigning surprise.

The New Yorker

Feigning surprise, the British and French issued an ultimatum to both sides to cease fire.

The Economist

He seemed pleased to be accosted by staff and patrons alike, feigning surprise at every compliment.

The New Yorker

Indeed, I will not feign surprise should thee tell me that this coxcomb is bosom pals with TwitPic.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "feigned surprise" to reveal a character's duplicity or hidden motives, enriching the narrative with layers of intrigue.

Common error

Avoid using "feigned surprise" when the intended meaning is genuine surprise tinged with sarcasm. The phrase implies a complete lack of authenticity, whereas sarcasm involves a real emotion expressed ironically.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feigned surprise" functions primarily as a descriptive element, often modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates a deliberate act of pretending to be surprised, as shown by Ludwig and confirmed by the numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feigned surprise" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe insincere or pretended surprise. As verified by Ludwig AI, the phrase effectively communicates a lack of genuine emotion, often implying deception. It's most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, where it adds a layer of insight into characters' motivations. To enhance your writing, ensure the context clearly indicates the lack of authenticity and consider using semantically similar phrases like "simulated surprise" or "pretended astonishment" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simulated surprise

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

pretended astonishment

Substitutes "surprise" with "astonishment", adding a layer of intensity to the false emotion.

false show of surprise

Emphasizes the insincerity and the act of displaying surprise.

acted surprised

Uses a more direct verb, "acted", to highlight the performance aspect.

put on an act of surprise

Highlights the deliberate and theatrical nature of the feigned emotion.

faked being surprised

Uses "faked being" to directly state the insincerity of the reaction.

feigned disbelief

Shifts the focus from surprise to the related emotion of disbelief.

contrived astonishment

Emphasizes the artificial and planned aspect of the surprise.

made a show of being surprised

Focuses on the performative aspect of expressing surprise.

affected surprise

Highlights that the surprise is artificial and not genuine.

FAQs

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

You can use "feigned surprise" to describe someone pretending to be surprised. For example, "Her "feigned surprise" at the unexpected gift was unconvincing".

What are some alternatives to "feigned surprise"?

Alternatives include "simulated surprise", "pretended astonishment", or "false show of surprise", each subtly altering the emphasis on the insincerity.

Is it appropriate to use "feigned surprise" in formal writing?

Yes, "feigned surprise" is suitable for formal writing when describing a character's insincere reaction or deception. Its use is grammatically correct and contextually appropriate.

What does "feigned" actually mean in the context of "feigned surprise"?

"Feigned" means pretended or simulated; therefore, ""feigned surprise"" indicates that the person is not genuinely surprised but is only acting as if they are.