feigned

[ feynd ]

adjective

1. pretended; sham; counterfeit:

   feigned enthusiasm.

2. assumed; fictitious:

   a feigned name.

3. disguised:

   a feigned voice.

Other Words From

• feign·ed·ly [fey, -nid-lee], adverb
• feigned·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of feigned¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English; feign + -ed ²

Example Sentences

She says she was released when she feigned acceptance of their dogma.

From The Daily Beast

In the new world order where every diner is a critic, there is a lot of feigned expertise.

From The Daily Beast

The girls teetered in their too-high heels and tittered with excitement, while the boys feigned a cool nonchalance.

From The Daily Beast

What serves as a point of departure in Prague is the defining obsession of The Tragedy of Arthur: what is real, what feigned?

From The Daily Beast

When Barbara Walters shut him down, he feigned hurt feelings and curled up on Rosie O'Donnell's lap.

From The Daily Beast

The Spaniards, indeed, feigned to regard them only as a remnant of the rebels who had joined the pre-existing brigand bands.

From Project Gutenberg

Lucy Warrender, ever ready for mischief, feigned an intense interest in racing matters, but failed to draw Lord Hetton.

From Project Gutenberg

I could not make out what it was, for the wind-was rustling the corn-shocks, but I arose and feigned to listen.

From Project Gutenberg

Garnache opened his eyes and stared a second dully at the disturber of his feigned slumbers.

From Project Gutenberg

Some chiefs, however, feigned to offer their submission, and all was apparently quiet for a time.

From Project Gutenberg