feigning

[ fey-ning ]

noun

1. the act of pretending or putting on a show in order to deceive:

   The feigning of hurt feelings is just a manipulative ploy she uses.

adjective

1. putting on a show in order to deceive; pretending:

   “It hurts,” moaned the feigning child on the floor, gripping her ankle in a convincing display of pain.

Other Words From

• feign·ing·ly adverb
• un·feign·ing adjective
• un·feign·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of feigning¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; feign ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun; feign ( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective

Example Sentences

"Ultimately, members of my own unit in leadership deemed that I was an extremist or a white nationalist because of a tattoo I have, which is a religious tattoo. It's a Jerusalem cross," Hegseth claimed, feigning ignorance of the fact that cross has indeed been embraced by far-right activists who imagine themselves fighting a modern-day Crusade.

From Salon

Feigning exasperation, he said he had to explain to his wife that he had been joking — that he was imitating Biden but that “the fake news” was distorting his sarcasm.

From Los Angeles Times

Right-wing commentators spent an entire day feigning outrage that ABC’s debate moderators dared to challenge at least a few of the ex-president’s blatantly false assertions.

From Salon

Whether in denial of just feigning it, the impact of such entreaties is likely to be the same.

From Salon

In his hourlong address to Congress last week, he repeated his cry for “total victory” without so much as mentioning the talks—making very clear that he has no interest in even feigning a desire for a diplomatic breakthrough.

From Slate

Related Words

• deceptive
• duplicitous
• false
• insincere
• sanctimonious
• self-righteous
• unnatural