feign
/feɪn/
Group 10Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To pretend to be affected by a feeling, state, or injury GRE
Example in Context
The suspect feigned ignorance when confronted with the evidence, claiming he had never seen the incriminating documents before.
Synonyms
fakepretendsimulate
Etymology
To shape or invent a false appearance, hence to pretend.
- fingere (Latin) — to shape, invent
Memory Aid
🎭Sounds like “fame”
He pretends to have FAME, but it's all a FEIGN!
Visual Association
🤥A person with a fake mustache pretending to be someone famous — a clear feign.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “feign” mean on the GRE?
feign (verb) means “To pretend to be affected by a feeling, state, or injury”. The suspect feigned ignorance when confronted with the evidence, claiming he had never seen the incriminating documents before.
How to remember “feign” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “feign” sounds like “fame”. He pretends to have FAME, but it's all a FEIGN!
What are synonyms for “feign”?
Common synonyms: fake, pretend, simulate.