1
2
as in show
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
was putting on an act when she said she didn't mind being left out of the outing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in law
a rule of conduct or action laid down by a governing authority and especially a legislature
the Americans with Disabilities Act requires public buildings to have wheelchair access
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in thing
something done by someone
it's acts such as this—lying about having to work late—that make me feel like I can't trust you
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to play
to present a portrayal or performance of
a local student acted the part of Tiny Tim in our theater company's production of A Christmas Carol
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
4
5
as in to pretend
to present a false appearance of
if you act confident long enough, you'll begin to actually feel it
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in to mock
to pretend to be (what one is not) in appearance or behavior
someone who is willing to act the helpless little thing when she wants attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of act
Simon Shuster, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
Take a moment to watch these other random acts of kindness captured on camera!
—Kendall Malinchock, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2025
This sparked the resignations on Thursday of John Keller, the acting head of the office, and Kevin Driscoll, one of its leading prosecutors.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for act 
Noun
These acts of creation, Leontyev explains, become a critical form of resistance against the Russians, whose goals in this war is not only to conquer Ukrainian territory but to eradicate Ukrainian culture.
—Simon Shuster, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
Take a moment to watch these other random acts of kindness captured on camera!
—Kendall Malinchock, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
Bove claimed that former U.S. Attorney Damian Williams had acted improperly and that Adams was needed to help the Trump administration with immigration enforcement.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2025
This sparked the resignations on Thursday of John Keller, the acting head of the office, and Kevin Driscoll, one of its leading prosecutors.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
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In turn, Israel has accused Hamas of not respecting the order in which the hostages were to be released and of orchestrating abusive public displays before large crowds when they have been handed over to the Red Cross.—
James Mackenzie, Emily Rose,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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That, in turn, may be used to sway elections or create fake pornographic images.—
Olesya Dmitracova,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Will those experiences inform how Ash runs the show at Notre Dame?—
Pete Sampson,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
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The show deals with wildfires, which felt especially resonant for many after the recent devastation in Los Angeles.—
Emily Burns,
WWD,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Steve Vladeck, a law professor at Georgetown University, said presidents can appeal adverse rulings rather than imply they shouldn't be followed.—
Bart Jansen,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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The lawsuit claims that L.A. Unified is denying arts instruction to students that is guaranteed by state law.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
This was when things took a turn from par for the rap course to serious allegations with real potential consequences.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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And just when things are finally starting to look up, Jo receives a devastating cancer diagnosis.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles will be played Sunday in New Orleans.—
Janelle Ash,
Fox News,
8 Feb. 2025
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The Eagles have played in one Super Bowl in the stadium, losing 27-10 to the Oakland Raiders in 1981.—
Jamie Barton,
CNN,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The company has worked with all the major streamers across the years, in different capacities.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2025
-
All work together in Torriden’s baby-blue Dive In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum to draw and seal in major moisture to give skin a glassy glow without any harsh exfoliation.—
Devon Abelman,
Allure,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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This time, Hailey Bieber and Justin Bieber’s couple-style quotient seems to fall somewhere between a total mismatch and perfect agreement.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
6 Feb. 2025
-
His relentless and deadly pummeling of Gaza and his authorization of low-intensity violence to uproot Palestinians from their homes in the West Bank seemed to indicate intention to dominate these territories, ideally with Palestinians removed.—
Peter L. Hahn / Made by History,
TIME,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Rocket Science confirmed on Tuesday that Wiig and Murray will also serve as executive producers alongside Jillian Apfelbaum and Margot Hand, with a script by Mitch Glazer (The Recruit, Scrooged).—
Lily Ford,
The Hollywood Reporter,
11 Feb. 2025
-
The disparity is even greater with respect to people serving the longest sentences.—
Steve Zeidman,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near act
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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