feint 1 of 2

noun

Definition of feintnext
as in bluff
sports a quick movement that you make to trick an opponent The boxer made a feint with his right, then followed with a left hook.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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feint

2 of 2

verb

as in to bluff

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word feint different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of feint are artifice, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, trick, and wile. While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

In what contexts can artifice take the place of feint?

The meanings of artifice and feint largely overlap; however, artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

When might maneuver be a better fit than feint?

While the synonyms maneuver and feint are close in meaning, maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

When could ruse be used to replace feint?

The words ruse and feint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

When is it sensible to use stratagem instead of feint?

In some situations, the words stratagem and feint are roughly equivalent. However, stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.

the stratagem-filled game

When can trick be used instead of feint?

The words trick and feint can be used in similar contexts, but trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

Where would wile be a reasonable alternative to feint?

The synonyms wile and feint are sometimes interchangeable, but wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.

used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of feint
Noun
But the stutter or feint is slightly different: rather than where the kick is going, this is designed to fool the goalkeeper about when the kick is going to happen. —Nick Miller, The Athletic, 9 July 2024 Trump has made some rhetorical feints toward Obama’s worldview, echoing his critiques of U.S. interventionism. —Ben Rhodes, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2020
Verb
The fire was now moving like a prowling carnivore, feinting down one street a few blocks away and then changing its mind and slithering down a different avenue. —Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025 Lewis-Skelly duly sauntered into the City box, feinted his way onto his wrong foot, and clipped in a beauty. —Amy Lawrence, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for feint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feint
  1. bluff
  2. disguise
  3. maneuver
  4. conceal
  5. camouflage
  6. mask
  7. feign
Noun
  • The trail ends with views from a bluff overlooking the Chesapeake Bay.
    — Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025
  • It’s situated right on an oceanfront bluff on the island of Antigua in the country Antigua and Barbuda.
    — Robin Raven, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of bluff
Verb
  • Meanwhile, smugglers and bad actors are perpetually advancing their methods for disguising illicit goods, unsafe products and narcotics.
    — Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 8 Apr. 2025
  • However, alignment often feels top-down, like marching orders disguised as consensus.
    — Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of disguise
Noun
  • From now on, the theory went, enemies would be defeated through speed and maneuver, with real-time intelligence provided by smart sensors guiding immediate attacks using smart weapons.
    — Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Russia has been accused of engaging in suspicious maneuvers near key undersea communication cables, which are vital to global communication systems.
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of maneuver
Verb
  • Seiders, 44, is charged with felony child pornography possession, misdemeanor annoying a child under 18, concealing a camera with intent to invade privacy and attempting to conceal a camera.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Spectators got wind of the sensible footwear concealed by the Fiesta finery and began demanding to see the shoes.
    — Jill Robbins, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of conceal
Verb
  • Peluso, who plays the Novo on Saturday as part of her first headlining U.S. tour, is an expert herself in crafting cinematic experiences camouflaged as songs.
    — Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Outside, aluminum siding that mirrors the changing sky cloaks a low-profile silhouette, nearly camouflaging the home in the surrounding greenery.
    — Spencer Elliott, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of camouflage
Verb
  • But for those like Jack Quinn, the points he’s tallied in the last month shouldn’t mask the underwhelming first 60 games of the season.
    — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • But, instead of simply coating the offending zone in air freshener or lighting a candle to help mask the odor, learn how to address unwanted smells at the source.
    — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of mask
Verb
  • Jenna Bush Hager Says Daughter Mila Got 'Overwhelmed' by Secret Service Spending Time with First Lady Laura Bush Guthrie's carousel also featured a picture of the girls at the end of the party, posing on a red truck while Mila feigned a yawn.
    — Hannah Sacks, People.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Putin is not feigning peace to stay on Trump’s good side merely to gobble up more Ukrainian territory.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of feign

Browse Nearby Words

feigns
feint
feinted
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Cite this Entry

“Feint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feint. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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