act on/upon
phrasal verb
acted on/upon; acting on/upon; acts on/upon
: to use (something, such as a feeling or suggestion) as a reason or basis for doing something
They never acted on the information they had.
It's okay to feel angry or jealous, but you mustn't act on those feelings.
Examples of act on/upon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Its complex effects have been tied to mitragynine and other alkaloids — chemical compounds containing nitrogen — that act on systems in the brain and body.
—
Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2024
This underscores the need to act on areas where broad political support on climate action already exists and then build on that momentum.
—TIME, 22 Apr. 2024
The House on Saturday passed a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, ending a monthslong delay to act on the assistance over objections from some on Republicans' right flank.
—Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2024
The country’s small size, its unique place as the homeland for the Jewish people, and the weight of historical memory have inspired a commitment to military self-reliance as well as a determination to ensure no adversary can act on threats to Israel’s existence.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2024
David also received one count of a lewd act on a child under 14.
—Stephanie Kaloi, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
But Blinken has failed to act on the proposal in the face of growing international criticism of the Israeli military’s conduct in Gaza, according to current and former State Department officials.
—Brett Murphy, ProPublica, 17 Apr. 2024
In an interview with Fox News during recess, Johnson pledged to act on Ukraine aid when lawmakers returned to Washington.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
In 2001, a year after he was arrested by Antioch police, Farotte was convicted of committing a lewd act on a child and a statuatory rape charge, court records show.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024
Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2024
This underscores the need to act on areas where broad political support on climate action already exists and then build on that momentum.
—TIME, 22 Apr. 2024
The House on Saturday passed a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, ending a monthslong delay to act on the assistance over objections from some on Republicans' right flank.
—Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2024
The country’s small size, its unique place as the homeland for the Jewish people, and the weight of historical memory have inspired a commitment to military self-reliance as well as a determination to ensure no adversary can act on threats to Israel’s existence.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2024
David also received one count of a lewd act on a child under 14.
—Stephanie Kaloi, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
But Blinken has failed to act on the proposal in the face of growing international criticism of the Israeli military’s conduct in Gaza, according to current and former State Department officials.
—Brett Murphy, ProPublica, 17 Apr. 2024
In an interview with Fox News during recess, Johnson pledged to act on Ukraine aid when lawmakers returned to Washington.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
In 2001, a year after he was arrested by Antioch police, Farotte was convicted of committing a lewd act on a child and a statuatory rape charge, court records show.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'act on/upon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Act on/upon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/act%20on%2Fupon. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
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