feint

American  

[feynt] / feɪnt /

noun

1. a movement made in order to deceive an adversary; an attack aimed at one place or point merely as a distraction from the real place or point of attack.

   military feints; the feints of a skilled fencer.

2. a feigned or assumed appearance.

   His air of approval was a feint to conceal his real motives.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make a feint.

   He feinted left, then struck his opponent with a roar.

verb (used with object)

1. to make a feint at; deceive with a feint.

2. to make a false show of; simulate.

feint ¹ British  

/ feɪnt /

noun

1. a mock attack or movement designed to distract an adversary, as in a military manoeuvre or in boxing, fencing, etc

2. a misleading action or appearance

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verb

1. (intr) to make a feint

feint ² British  

/ feɪnt /

noun

1. printing the narrowest rule used in the production of ruled paper

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Etymology

Origin of feint

First recorded in 1670–80; from French feinte, from Old French feinte “fabrication,” noun use of feminine of feint “pretended,” past participle of feindre; feign

Explanation

Did you ever tell your parents you were going off to school, grabbed your book bag, and headed out the door...only to spend the rest of the day hanging out with your friends? Well, that was a feint, a super sneaky move designed to fool someone. Although military and political tactics are big on feints, their most common use is probably in sports — particularly boxing, where opponents are continually trying to fake each other out. As in Dundee's account of an Ali-Frazier match: "Ali feinted with a jab, and Frazier threw one of his own, missing." Not to be confused with faint, meaning "weak or feeble." However, a feint can be deliberately faint, as Ali knew and Frazier found out when the real right hook made contact.

Example Sentences

Hathaway fell for Paulo Garbisi's feint that opened space for Capuozzo to pop up from nowhere and tap down with a wonderful finish.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2025

It's a feint, an effort to scare his opponents into believing his ascension is unstoppable, so they stop fighting him.

From Salon • Dec. 30, 2023

In the third minute, she made a feint toward Gotham defender Jenna Nighswonger, then spun quickly the turf.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2023

Some bartenders pour you a drink then ignore you, circling back with the check and a feint at sincerity, hoping for a big tip.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 9, 2023

Could all that talk of the Golden Company sailing west have been a feint?

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Related Words

• ruse