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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
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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
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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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of act
Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025
Her words also channel the playwright’s approach to structuring this family drama; Dillman drops a juicy reveal before intermission and begins the second act with a series of flashbacks, leaving viewers waiting to see the fallout.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2025
The two first met when they were paired together in an acting class.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
Writing it, one senses, was a high-wire act over an abyss of pain, agitation, uncertainty, and the dread of being ignored or misunderstood.
—Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025
Her words also channel the playwright’s approach to structuring this family drama; Dillman drops a juicy reveal before intermission and begins the second act with a series of flashbacks, leaving viewers waiting to see the fallout.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
During a virtual all-hands meeting with employees on Friday, CMS acting Administrator Stephanie Carlton detailed some of the specific offices at the agency impacted by cuts under Kennedy’s broader plan to restructure the Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2025
The two first met when they were paired together in an acting class.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
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That, in turn, will force most viewers into uncharted territory themselves.—
Michael Ausiello,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2025
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Those cane toads would in turn eventually produce their own Peter Pan hatchlings, allowing researchers to repeat the cycle.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Most significantly, the wealthy Ratliff family (played on the show by Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, and co), were recast as President Donald Trump and his family, in a riff on the current tariff situation.—
Rebecca Cope,
Vogue,
14 Apr. 2025
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Abby’s Motivations – Last night, players saw that the show was saying right away that Abby was a Firefly and was angry at Joel for all his murders at the hospital, decimating the entire organization.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The memo signed by Rubio also makes the case that another person, whose name is redacted, should be deportable under the same law.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2025
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This relic of constitutional law, which the Supreme Court hasn’t taken seriously since its quiet death in the New Deal era, is more mythical than historical—holding, more or less, that Congress cannot delegate its lawmaking power to another branch of government.—
Cristian Farias,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And also, thinking about thousands of others going through the same thing.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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After the couple’s patient died, the last thing that Teddy wanted to do was discuss the fact that Owen had slept with someone else.—
Charlie Mason,
TVLine,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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He's surrounded by a charming and intense stable of doctors, nurses, EMTs, and patients played by Tracy Ifeachor, Shawn Hatosy, Supriya Ganesh, Patrick Ball, Fiona Dourif, and Taylor Dearden.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
11 Apr. 2025
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Coming off the most disappointing loss of the season, when Minnesota coughed up a 24-point lead with 10 minutes to play in Milwaukee, Conley immediately went to work in the locker room, emphasizing how important the Wolves’ game against the Grizzlies was for their playoff chances.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Tan was most recently president of Loewe Asia, and has worked for a host of European luxury brands out of Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
11 Apr. 2025
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By then, Reggie was 31, had graduated college and was working for a pharmaceutical company near San Antonio.—
Paul LaRosa,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The odometer-like graphic seems to resonate with everyday readers.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2025
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Baker said the goal of the Super Regional was to increase attendance and improve the quality of the experience for the players, which seems to be in line Ackerman’s proposal.—
Alanis Thames,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Parks also served as a campaign reporter for the network during the 2016 election cycle and was the first network reporter assigned to cover U.S Senator Bernie Sanders' bid for the White House.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2025
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Iconoclastic critic, art historian, and photographer Max Kozloff, who served as Artforum’s executive editor in the 1970s before turning to his own artistic practice, died on April 6.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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