feint Definition
- 1a deceptive or pretended blow, thrust, or other movement, especially in boxing or fencing
- 2a deceptive action taken to divert attention from one's real purpose
Using feint: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "feint" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The boxer made a feint with his left hand before landing a punch with his right.
Example
The general ordered a feint attack on the enemy's left flank to draw their attention away from the main assault.
Example
She made a feint of reaching for her wallet before grabbing the thief's arm.
feint Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for feint
- deception
- trick
- ploy
- ruse
- subterfuge
Antonyms for feint
- real attack
- honesty
Phrases with feint
feint attack
a military tactic that involves making a false attack to distract the enemy from the real objective
Example
The general ordered a feint attack on the enemy's left flank to draw their attention away from the main assault.
feint of innocence
a deceptive act of pretending to be innocent or unaware of something
Example
She made a feint of innocence when asked about the missing documents.
feint and dodge
to use deceptive tactics to avoid answering a question or addressing an issue
Example
The politician feinted and dodged when asked about his stance on the controversial issue.
Origins of feint
from Old French 'feinte', meaning 'deception'
Summary: feint in Brief
A 'feint' [feɪnt] is a deceptive or pretended movement, often used in sports like boxing or fencing, or in military tactics. It can also refer to a deceptive action taken to divert attention from one's real purpose. Examples include 'The boxer made a feint with his left hand before landing a punch with his right,' and 'She made a feint of reaching for her wallet before grabbing the thief's arm.'
