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

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

Lamm slipped in another feint, which was to raise the question of whether Greenblatt is sufficiently engaged with Jewishness to merit a defense from antisemitism.

From Slate • Oct. 2, 2023

I feint right, and just as I was expecting, he takes the bait, following my body.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Related Words

• ruse