Malingerer: meaning, definitions and examples

🤒

Add to dictionary

malingerer

[məˈlɪŋɡərər ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

person pretending to be ill

A malingerer is a person who pretends to be ill or has a physical or mental condition in order to avoid work or responsibilities. They often exaggerate symptoms or invent illnesses to escape obligations.

Synonyms

faker, shirker, slacker.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
malingerer	Repeated for context consistency. Refer to the initial definition provided.
faker	Commonly used to describe someone who pretends to be something they are not, whether it’s their skills, emotions, or intentions. It has a broad application and a negative connotation. She was revealed as a faker when her so-called expertise in programming was tested. Be cautious, as the market is full of fakers trying to sell fake products.
shirker	Refers to someone who avoids their responsibilities or work, often used in professional or everyday settings. The term generally carries a negative connotation. The team was frustrated with the shirker who never completed his tasks on time. Management took action against shirkers to improve overall productivity.
slacker	Describes an individual who is lazy or not putting in effort, typically used in both professional and casual settings. It also has a negative connotation. He was known as the office slacker, always finding excuses to not work. During group projects, slackers were quickly identified by their lack of contribution.

Examples of usage

He was caught faking a fever to skip school, what a malingerer!
The soldier was labeled a malingerer for feigning injury to avoid combat duties.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term 'malingerer' comes from the French word 'malingre', meaning 'sickly' or 'unwell'.
The word gained prominence in English during the 19th century, reflecting societal concerns about work ethic and integrity.
Initially, it was often used to describe soldiers faking illness to avoid military duties.

Psychology

Psychologists have studied malingering as it can be seen as a coping mechanism or a way to gain attention.
Research suggests that some individuals may resort to feigning illness due to underlying stress or anxiety related to real-life pressures.
Malingering is sometimes difficult to diagnose, as it can overlap with genuine medical conditions or mental health issues.

Pop Culture

Malingering often appears in movies and TV shows, where characters fake illness for comedic effect or to escape trouble.
In literature, characters who malinger may serve as symbols of laziness or deceit, reflecting societal views on work and commitment.
The concept has been parodied in various comedic sketches, highlighting the absurdity of pretending to be sick.

Legal Context

In legal settings, malingering can be used to describe individuals exaggerating symptoms to gain benefits or avoid punishment.
Some insurance fraud cases involve malingering, where individuals claim injuries to receive financial compensation.
Evaluating malingering is critical in legal cases involving personal injury claims, as courts need to ascertain genuine injuries versus feigned conditions.

Health Perspectives

Healthcare professionals often need to differentiate between true illness and malingering to provide appropriate care.
Malingering can have implications for public health, as it may affect resource allocation and treatment for those genuinely in need.
Educational systems also face issues with students who malinger, affecting overall classroom dynamics and learning environments.

Translations

Translations of the word "malingerer" in other languages:

🇵🇹 simulador

🇮🇳 ढोंगी

🇩🇪 Simulant

🇮🇩 pura-pura sakit

🇺🇦 симулянт

🇵🇱 symulant

🇯🇵 仮病を使う人

🇫🇷 simulateur

🇪🇸 simulador

🇹🇷 numaracı

🇰🇷 꾀병 부리는 사람

🇸🇦 متمارض

🇨🇿 simulant

🇸🇰 simulant

🇨🇳 装病者

🇸🇮 simulant

🇮🇸 veikind

🇰🇿 сырқаттанушы

🇬🇪 სიმულანტი

🇦🇿 xəstəlik bəhanəsi edən

🇲🇽 simulador

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,834, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

...
37831 endpaper
37832 demobilize
37833 hitchhiked
37834 malingerer
37835 saltier
37836 dibble
37837 drowsed
...