feigning
Feigning is typically used when someone is deliberately giving a false impression, usually to deceive or mislead others. It can have a slightly negative connotation and is often used in formal contexts.
- She was feigning illness to avoid going to work
- The actor was feigning surprise when he received the award
pretend
Pretend is used when someone is acting as though something is true when it is not, often for a playful or imaginative purpose. Although it can be used to describe deception, it doesn't always carry a negative meaning.
- The children pretended to be pirates
- He pretended not to see her
fake
Fake is often used in casual speech to describe something that is not real or genuine. This word is commonly associated with objects, emotions, or actions that are intentionally designed to deceive. It has a negative connotation.
- He bought a fake watch from the street market
- Her smile was obviously fake
simulate
Simulate is often used in technical or scientific contexts where recreating a scenario or condition is necessary for study or training. It doesn't carry a negative connotation and is generally used in a neutral or professional manner.
- The flight simulator is used to train pilots
- Scientists simulate various weather conditions in the lab