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
Skeptics have pointed out that Kim includes in his speech every year some kind of friendly feint toward the South. —John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2018 Their books’ fantasies of martyrdom and religious metaphysics are a feint so as not to recognize the need for socialism at home and abroad, and to obscure American stupidity. —Mark Greif, Harper's Magazine, 26 July 2024
Verb
Out of desperation, some in Silicon Valley seem intent on reviving McCarthy’s old playbook, distracting from real problems by feinting at Communists. —Gary Marcus, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2024 So far, the show seems to be at least feinting in that direction, but this season is an exercise in why leaving the books behind may be the show’s best decision. —Aja Romano, Vox, 18 June 2024 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
  • Its bluffs and beaches became a vast cemetery, volcanic ash and black sand burying the dead.
    — Hannah Beech, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
  • No one disputes that the bluff and beach closures to accommodate the presence and natural life activities of the pinniped constrain unlimited human presence.
    — Bill Tippets, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025
Definition of bluff
Verb
  • There follows a rewind which zooms in on the signs of abuse: smartphone messages read during a romantic clinch, stalking disguised as concern, jealousy, emotional manipulation and love bombing geared to isolate the protagonist from her support group.
    — Stephanie Hirschmiller, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The camera had been disguised as a pen and left in a storage bin facing the toilet, so that the lens captured videos of female hospital staff members partially unclothed, according to court documents.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of disguise
Noun
  • Chinese navy maneuvers, which took placeoutside Australia's territorial waters but within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), have raised concerns about Beijing's intentions south of the Equator.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
  • For the flight test, Eisele maneuvered Apollo 7 into position with a docking target painted on the side of the Saturn rocket’s upper stage (the capsule had separated from the upper stage the day before and let some distance grow between the two vehicles before trying the maneuver).
    — Kiona N. Smith, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of maneuver
Verb
  • Urban Outfitters’ fourth-quarter results concealed underlying challenges, with the flagship brand experiencing its eleventh consecutive quarter of negative growth.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The body of the lion lay concealed among the thick-growing needles of the pine limb.
    — Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of conceal
Verb
  • It is believed they are drawn to these smells to claim their territory or camouflage their scent, which dogs often do by rolling around near the odor.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
  • The octopus, with dexterous arms and camouflaging abilities, excels at extracting prey from crevices and hiding spots, commonly using a technique called a web-over.
    — Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2025
Definition of camouflage
Verb
  • Photographed on deeply textured 16mm, Lesson Learned is refreshingly frank about how kids act amongst themselves, the way teachers wield power (emotional and physical) to mask their insecurities, and what happens when clueless parents are brought into the fold.
    — Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Scents The function of toilet bowl cleaners is not only to remove bacteria and stains but also to mask the odor.
    — BestReviews, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of mask
Verb
  • Liberal politicians and commentators feigned outrage when President Trump’s DOGE team began to audit the trillions of dollars in payments that the U.S. Treasury Department sends out annually.
    — James Carter, National Review, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Ty Dolla $ign isn’t the only one feigning surprise at West’s recent actions.
    — Justin Curto, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2025
Definition of feign

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“Feint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feint. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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