playacted; playacting; playacts

intransitive verb

1
a
: to take part in theatrical performances especially as a professional
b
: to make believe
2
: to engage in theatrical or insincere behavior

Examples of playact in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Today, Margaret would be playacting her own massacre in active shooter drills at school. Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 1 May 2023 Trump’s modus, as ever, was to playact; his game has always been improv. Joe Klein, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from playacting

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of playact was in 1856

Dictionary Entries Near playact

Cite this Entry

“Playact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/playact. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.

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