Malinger /məˈliNGɡər/ verb

Definition: The term malinger is a verb that refers to pretending to be unwell, feigning injury or incapacitation to avoid work, any other obligation, or perilous risk. The term can also refer to self-inflicting an actual infection or injury or any other type of self-harm just to stay away from work, obligation, or any additional complex risk.

Etymology: The term ‘Malinger’ is an English word whose origin traces back to the early 19th century. At the time, people used it as a back-formation from ‘malingerer.’ Apparently, ‘malingering’ originated from the French word ‘malingre.’ Perhaps, ‘malingre’ is a combination of mal, which means wrongly and haingre, which means weak, likely from German too.

In a Sentence

There are high probabilities that the individuals who were manifesting psychosomatic complaints were malingering after learning that they would have to walk home.

It is very common for several students to malinger on exam days instead of preparing themselves properly from the beginning of the semester to the end.

The doctor prescribed a painkiller and recommended that she keep herself busy, but he later accused her of malingering and induced her to leave the facility.

Synonyms 

Sham, Shirk

Antonyms 

Perform, Do, Rise Up