feigned denial crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com, your ultimate resource for solving challenging crossword clues. Below, you'll find comprehensive solutions and explanations for "feigned denial crossword clue," designed to help you complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "feigned denial crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
SHAM: A thing that is not what it is purported to be; a trick or pretense. Often implies a false act or denial.
5 Letters
ALIBI: An excuse, especially a false one, about being elsewhere when an act occurred. It's a form of feigned denial to avoid blame.
BLUFF: An attempt to deceive someone about one's abilities or intentions. Can be a feigned act or denial to mislead.
8 Letters
PRETENSE: An attempt to make something that is not the case appear true. This perfectly captures the essence of a feigned denial.
13 Letters
PREVARICATION: The action of speaking or acting in an evasive way. While not always a direct denial, it is a common form of feigned or misleading communication to avoid the truth.
More About "feigned denial crossword clue"
"Feigned denial" is a common concept in crosswords that tests a solver's understanding of nuance and synonyms related to deception, excuses, and pretense. It moves beyond simple negation to explore the act of falsely disclaiming something. When you encounter such a clue, the setter is hinting at a word that describes an insincere or made-up alibi, an act of pretending innocence, or a deliberate attempt to mislead by denying the truth.
Clues like these often require you to think about the motivation behind the denial. Is it to avoid responsibility? To maintain an image? Or simply to play a trick? The answers provided, such as SHAM, ALIBI, and PRETENSE, all share this underlying theme of a false front or a convenient untruth. Understanding the subtle differences between these words is key to selecting the correct answer based on the letter count and surrounding letters in your puzzle.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Adjective: Pay close attention to words like "feigned," "false," "insincere," or "pretended." These modifiers are crucial for understanding that a simple "denial" isn't enough; you need a word that implies a deliberate act of deception.
- Consider Word Lengths: As seen with "feigned denial," different answers exist for various lengths. If you have few letters, look for concise words like SHAM or BLUFF. For longer slots, think of more complex terms like PREVARICATION.
- Think Synonyms for Deception: Broaden your search to include words related to trickery, excuses, facades, or misleading statements. Often, crossword setters use a thesaurus to find less obvious but perfectly fitting synonyms.
- Use Cross-References: Don't try to solve the clue in isolation. The intersecting words from other clues are your best friends. They provide critical letters that can confirm or rule out potential answers for "feigned denial."
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'feigned denial' mean in a crossword context?
'Feigned denial' in a crossword context refers to a false or insincere rejection of something, often an accusation or a truth. Clues using this phrase look for words that imply an act of pretending innocence, making up an excuse, or trying to deceive about one's involvement or knowledge. Common answers include words like ALIBI, PRETENSE, or SHAM.
Are there other words similar to 'feigned denial' that frequently appear in crosswords?
Yes, other words that often act as synonyms or related concepts in crosswords include BLUFF, RUSE, FABRICATION, ARTIFICE, or even PREVARICATION for longer answers. These words all convey the idea of deception or presenting something as untrue when it is.
How can I identify a clue requiring a 'feigned denial' answer?
Look for keywords like 'false,' 'pretended,' 'insincere,' 'made-up,' 'excuse,' 'cover-up,' or 'deception.' The clue will often imply that the denial isn't genuine. Also, consider the number of letters provided in the grid, as this can often narrow down the possibilities significantly.