feign
Translation
to pretend, to simulate, to fake
Examples
He would feign illness to avoid school.
He would feign illness to avoid school.
She feigned surprise at the news.
She feigned surprise at the news.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to pretend to have a particular feeling, problem, etc. He feigned ignorance of the matter.
((to-inf)) to pretend to do something She feigned to be asleep.
Similar Words
Synonyms: pretend, simulate, affect, fake; Antonyms: be genuine, be sincere
Etymology
From Old French 'feindre' (to pretend), from Latin 'fingere' (to shape, form, contrive).
Memory Tips
'Feign' sounds like 'rain'. Imagine someone feigning sadness by crying fake tears in the rain.