What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Feign vs Pretense - What's the difference?

feign | pretense |

As a verb feign

is to make a false copy or version of; to counterfeit.

As a noun pretense is

(us) a false or hypocritical profession, as, under pretense of friendliness.

feign

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To make a false copy or version of; to counterfeit.
  • The pupil feigned sickness on the day of his exam.
    They feigned her signature on the cheque.
  • To imagine; to invent; to pretend.
  • He feigned that he had gone home at the appointed time.
  • To make an action as if doing one thing, but actually doing another, for example to trick an opponent.
  • * 2013 , Daniel Taylor, Rickie Lambert's debut goal gives England victory over Scotland'' (in ''The Guardian , 14 August 2013)[http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/aug/14/england-scotland-international-friendly]
  • Cahill was beaten far too easily for Miller's goal, although the striker deserves the credit for the way he controlled Alan Hutton's right-wing delivery, with his back to goal, feigned to his left then went the other way and pinged a splendid left-foot shot into Hart's bottom right-hand corner.
  • To hide or conceal.
  • Jessica feigned the fact that she had not done her homework.

    Synonyms

    * (represent by a false appearance) front, put on airs

    pretense

    English

    Alternative forms

    * pretence (Only correct spelling in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and Commonwealth countries, and historical use in the United States) * (archaic)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (US) A false or hypocritical profession, as, under pretense of friendliness.
  • Intention or purpose not real but professed.
  • with only a pretense of accuracy
  • An unsupported claim made or implied.
  • An insincere attempt to reach a specific condition or quality.
  • Synonyms

    * affectation denotes deception for the sake of escape from punishment or an awkward situation * false pretense * fiction * imitation * pretext * sham * subterfuge * See also

    Anagrams

    * * *