Malingered: meaning, definitions and examples

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malingered

 

[ məˈlɪŋɡərd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

health excuses

To malinger means to deliberately feign or exaggerate illness or injury to avoid work or duty. Individuals who malinger often do so to escape responsibilities, gain attention, or avoid unpleasant tasks. This behavior can manifest in various settings, including workplaces and schools. Malingering is often frowned upon and can lead to disciplinary action if detected.

Synonyms

fake, feign, pretend, shirk

Examples of usage

  • He malingered to avoid going to work.
  • The student was suspected of malingering to get out of the exam.
  • She was criticized for malingering when she claimed to be sick.
  • Many workers malinger during stressful periods.

Translations

Translations of the word "malingered" in other languages:

🇵🇹 simular

🇮🇳 बचने के लिए बहाना बनाना

🇩🇪 simulieren

🇮🇩 berpura-pura

🇺🇦 симулювати

🇵🇱 symulować

🇯🇵 病気を装う

🇫🇷 simuler

🇪🇸 simular

🇹🇷 numara yapmak

🇰🇷 병을 가장하다

🇸🇦 يتظاهر

🇨🇿 simulovat

🇸🇰 simulovať

🇨🇳 装病

🇸🇮 simulirati

🇮🇸 líkja

🇰🇿 жалғандау

🇬🇪 მეტყველება

🇦🇿 yalançı xəstəlik

🇲🇽 simular

Word origin

The word 'malinger' has its origins in the early 19th century, derived from the French word 'malingre', which means sickly or feeble. The French term is a combination of 'mal', meaning bad or ill, and 'ingre', from the word 'gringalet', which refers to a weak or puny person. English speakers began to adopt the term to describe those who would feign illness or physical incapacity to evade work or duties. By the 1860s, 'malinger' was being widely used in military and labor contexts, especially during times of conflict when soldiers or workers might wish to avoid the rigors of service or labor. Over time, the connotation evolved to suggest deceit for personal gain, making the term synonymous with dodging responsibilities.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,705, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.