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.

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feint

2 of 2

verb

as in to bluff

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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
Scarpetta contains the standard allotment of feints and false leads. — Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026 One appears to be leaning back in a feint or parry — described as resembling the perspective of a spectator at the amphitheater, suggesting the artist may have been drawing from memory after watching a real fight. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
The fight started with Perez chopping Johnson's lead leg and feinting level changes, drawing Johnson into the pocket where Perez's shorter, tighter shots landed first. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026 The episode feinted toward genuine rapprochement before yanking the rug out, leaving the Gang pelted with an industrial-grade indoor blizzard and then happily hucking rocks at passing trains, as was Mac and Charlie's childhood tradition. — Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 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
  • Bassist Randy Meisner was a Nebraska farm guy, raised in the shadow of prominent sandstone bluffs that guided dreamy Americans westward in the 19th century.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Set on a bluff slightly inland from Lake Muskoka itself, the resort allows players to tee off against a backdrop of incredible views.
    — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of bluff
Verb
  • Pitchers are disguising their four-seamers up with more cutters in than ever before, so just advising him to be more aggressive in the zone is not good enough.
    — Eno Sarris, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • OpenAI does not allow access to its models in Russia, but the company said VPNs were used to disguise location.
    — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of disguise
Noun
  • Wars of maneuver win territory; wars of position win hearts and minds.
    — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The helicopter then returned to the ravine and carried out the same technical maneuver to bring the second climber to safety.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of maneuver
Verb
  • Torres was then seen on camera concealing the money inside his black jacket before entering an employee restroom, according to the report.
    — Ana Maria Soler, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
  • In practical terms, someone deliberately trying to conceal Claude's involvement could simply rewrite the output substantially.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of conceal
Verb
  • Many cope by masking or camouflaging — suppressing autistic traits in order to fit in.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • From the outside, the building looks like a bunker, camouflaged amid a block of nondescript offices.
    — Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of camouflage
Verb
  • Replace Judgment With Curiosity Many neurodivergent employees mask their traits to blend in, which leads to burnout and exhaustion.
    — Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Always bury the rotten fruit in the center of your compost pile to help mask the smell and deter unwanted animals.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of mask
Verb
  • Linney’s Guardian tries to draw out some resentment from her new candidate, but John expresses (or feigns) sympathy for Hal, who was betrayed by his father figure Sinestro, an experience John likens to his own complicated upbringing.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The other, an 18-year-old man, allegedly feigned a role as the first man’s financial adviser.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 28 Aug. 2026
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 2 Sep. 2026.

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