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
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of act
Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 13 Apr. 2025
An affirmative vision of what the world should be is the inspiration for many of those who, in these tempestuous early months of Trump 2.0, have taken meaningful risks—acts of American dissent.
—Julia Angwin, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2025
Esther Kang, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
How to act during strong winds Take shelter: Immediately go inside a sturdy building during a high wind warning or severe thunderstorm warning and move to an interior room or basement.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
Green Day is nothing, if not always, a political act.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 13 Apr. 2025
An affirmative vision of what the world should be is the inspiration for many of those who, in these tempestuous early months of Trump 2.0, have taken meaningful risks—acts of American dissent.
—Julia Angwin, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
Alongside Fallon, Saint John will act as the On Brand Agency's Chief Marketing Officer.
—Esther Kang, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
How to act during strong winds Take shelter: Immediately go inside a sturdy building during a high wind warning or severe thunderstorm warning and move to an interior room or basement.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
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Lavi is best known for her turn as Eve in Netflix’s fantasy series Lucifer, starring opposite Tom Ellis, D.B. Woodside, and Lesley-Ann Brandt.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
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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However, pastel purple is very much a show stopper in nail design.—
Celeste Polanco,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
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The show will explore the intersection of design, storytelling, and innovation, offering a rare glimpse into how truly great products are made.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
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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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
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And also, thinking about thousands of others going through the same thing.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Whitaker is played by Gerran Howell, who carried the title role on the CBBC's Young Dracula (2006–2014) before appearing on NBC's Emerald City (2017) and Hulu's adaptation of Joseph Heller's Catch-22 (2019).—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
11 Apr. 2025
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The trio finished with a 4-1 lead in shots and 10 hits between them while playing predominantly against the Stars’ second and fourth lines.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
-
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
Verb
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However, Grant's fit in Buffalo seems a little strange on paper.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Apr. 2025
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These fast-moving, Mid-Atlantic hurricanes seem to occur every 40 years or so, with 2003, 1933, 1896, 1893, and 1878 all being examples.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
20 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
-
It’s been just over eight months since the Jamaican dancehall legend was freed from captivity after serving 13 years behind bars for a murder conviction that was overturned on appeal in March 2024.—
Rob Kenner,
VIBE.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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