acting 1 of 3

as in interim
serving in a position for the time being will serve as acting president of the university until a permanent replacement can be found

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acting

2 of 3

noun

acting

3 of 3

verb

present participle of act
1
2
3
4
as in serving
to have a certain purpose the tail feathers of woodpeckers act as props while the birds excavate tree trunks for insects

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5
6
as in mocking
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

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of acting
Adjective
His first acting role came in 1992 in Sally Potter’s Orlando before a slate of more significant parts in the mid-2000s. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2025 How did the opportunity to cast Tan France in his first acting role come about? Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
Check out this week’s Emmy predictions in key series and acting categories below. Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025 Reigns has previously ventured into acting, showcasing his charisma and screen presence in various projects. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
Former acting Labor Secretary Julie Su will serve on the institute's advisory board. Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025 Han, 75, formerly the prime minister, stepped in as acting president in December after the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol following his controversial imposition of martial law. Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for acting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acting
Adjective
  • The fate of Doug Christie Perry’s first decision will determine the fate of Doug Christie, who took over as interim head coach when Mike Brown was fired Dec. 27 after the Kings went 13-18 to start the season.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • This was Memphis’ first playoff game under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo.
    Cliff Brunt, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Further factions emerge from there, as people start playing the game within the Squid Game, forming pockets of friendships and alliances, real and fake.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 26 Dec. 2024
  • The World Junior tournament is always good for some surprises; a couple of unexpected players emerging as top scorers or playing well in big moments, or a traditional top nation getting upset in the medal round.
    Corey Pronman, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Before coming to The Athletic, Weiss spent a decade working for the government, primarily as a compliance bank regulator.
    Jared Weiss, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
  • Or pushing through with friendships that aren’t really working anymore, and maybe never did.
    Daisy Jones, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Step one is converting a Mayfair to their side, with Moira seeming like the easiest target.
    Andy Swift, TVLine, 5 Jan. 2025
  • Despite the seeming doom and gloom, many institutions are stepping up to the plate in the face of these challenges, creating more accessible pathways to higher education.
    Susan R. Burns, New York Daily News, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • List of warnings issued The research also highlights contamination in staples such as rice as one of the major contributors, with brands like Whole Foods Organic Long Grain White Rice having 2,240 nanograms of phthalates per serving.
    George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Aspiring career changers who don’t work in healthcare are also finding new roles serving older adults, or creating them.
    Aliza Knox, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • This prompt gives you enough talking points to contribute thoughtfully without pretending to be an expert.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Interspersed in the narrative, there are South Asian folktales about a jackal who is punished for pretending to be a king and a foolish man who puts all his eggs in a basket.
    Malaka Gharib, NPR, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Bannon talked over and through Newsom’s questions, goading the governor at certain points, gently mocking him at others.
    Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 20 Mar. 2025
  • In the essay, the 37-year-old recalled how Trachtenberg was often bullied by their peers, with kids mocking her for her role in Harriet the Spy.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The network and Ramsay’s Studio Ramsay Global are also teaming up to launch a digital culinary and entertainment brand called Bite.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Currently, Furious 7, alongside A Minecraft Movie, are leading presales for Friday in China, according to ticketing and entertainment platform Maoyan.
    Sara Merican, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Acting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acting. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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