feign

Or that night we stumbled onto a giant controlled burn and saw the flames reach up and tickle the moon and recognized the gnawing feeling that fire is something we can only feign to control.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 5, 2026

The perpetrator would have to keep at least one clue from his victims to feign innocence, but a subtle inconsistency would allow others to infer his guilt.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025

It’s weird to be paranoid or to feign paranoia as part of an elaborate performance to manipulate rubes.

From Slate ● Aug. 6, 2025

The Vault dwellers may have chin-tentacles and sinister secrets, but they understand something essential.In the post-apocalypse, the ability to feign normalcy — and further, to curate pleasure — is a luxury.

From Salon ● May 12, 2025

How was it possible for her to feign such coldness without feeling it at the same time?

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

She feigns outrage loudly, according to people who like her, and yells maniacally, according to people who don’t.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 5, 2026

In response, Jenrick said the mistaken release was "a national embarrassment and today the justice secretary feigns anger at what happened."

From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2025

A burst of laughter and applause erupts from the crowd as he feigns confusion by turning and pointing to invisible supporters, as if he does not realize his back is to them.

From New York Times ● Oct. 30, 2023

Miranda feigns being open, but she'd rather shape Che's world to her liking instead of fulfilling the reason for her move to L.A., the purpose of which was to be in her lover's world.

From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2023

Slant watches over us all; Charles feigns sleep.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

Back when he was in first grade, Bennett feigned illness so he could get sent home and spend some time with his dad, whom he hadn’t seen in two weeks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 12, 2026

That leaves only the feigned feud between Paul and Gronkowski — Brady’s longtime pal and New England Patriots teammate.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 20, 2026

I feigned disappointment but secretly sighed with relief: The last time I’d come, the pod’s door hadn’t closed, spiking my adrenaline even more during the seven-minute trip across the valley.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025

When another student enters and surveys the bodies on the ground in poorly feigned shock, few manage to suppress their giggles.

From Salon ● Jul. 29, 2025

“What?” he says, spreading his hands in feigned innocence.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

Manager Dave Roberts and his pitching coaches haven’t been particularly forthcoming, either, feigning ignorance about the glove that looks as big as Sasaki’s head.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

Spaeny: It’s what every actor is thinking except they’re feigning ...

From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2026

Manager Daniel Farke accused Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" and break up play.

From BBC ● Apr. 27, 2026

However, the “Hannah Montana” star did not end her mockery there—going on to accuse Cooper of feigning innocence about the proximity of their properties.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 31, 2026

It’s in the trunk of the cab now, cold again and stony, feigning innocence.

From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak