feigning

American

[fey-ning] / feɪ nɪŋ /

noun

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

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 Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of feigning

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

Vocabulary lists containing feigning

Vocabulary Heard at the 2016 Republican National Convention

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In some cases, bureaucrats resorted to ostentatious gestures and outright fraud, feigning adherence to unrealistic targets and masking underperformance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 28, 2026

In November, Leeds United boss Daniel Farke accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" and break up play.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

Spaeny: It’s what every actor is thinking except they’re feigning ...

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

However, the “Hannah Montana” star did not end her mockery there—going on to accuse Cooper of feigning innocence about the proximity of their properties.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

“Oops, I forgot. Ms. Keaton said it was a study period,” I say, feigning a look of dawning remembrance.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023