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
J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2025
For that offense, she was swept up in an act that very much looked like a kidnapping.
—Edwin C. Yohnka, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2025
Smiley never acts for personal gain (though his skills do earn him the directorship of the Circus, by the time of 1977’s The Honourable Schoolboy).
—Rav Grewal-Kök
june 16, Literary Hub, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
With more than 40 local and national acts performing across five stages, spots on the roster are more coveted than ever.
—J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2025
For that offense, she was swept up in an act that very much looked like a kidnapping.
—Edwin C. Yohnka, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
Verb
Andrea Lucas, acting chair of the EEOC, issued a statement applauding the court’s decision.
—Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2025
Smiley never acts for personal gain (though his skills do earn him the directorship of the Circus, by the time of 1977’s The Honourable Schoolboy).
—Rav Grewal-Kök
june 16, Literary Hub, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
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Ada, in turn, suddenly came into a great deal of money thanks to her husband, Reverend Luke Forte (Robert Sean Leonard).—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
23 June 2025
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This is particularly true as Pinterest transforms its large global user base into shopping-centric experiences, which, in turn, increases advertiser spending and affiliate commerce revenue.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Noun
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Nationwide, more than 145 people have been hospitalized with measles so far this year, federal data show, and many of those hospitalized have needed intensive care.—
Rong-Gong Lin II,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
-
Almost 205,000 Hispanics live in Mecklenburg, the data shows, or about 58% of the region’s population of Latinos.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
26 June 2025
Noun
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James Gabbert/Getty Images The Context Texas law allows people with a license to conceal carry a gun and to possess that gun on college campuses.—
Sophie Clark
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
-
Florida law outlines sweeping powers available in a state of emergency, including the governor’s ability to use and deploy all available county and local resources.—
Skyler Swisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
Miranda is so full of possibility and adventure and what’s going to come next, and Ada is trying so hard to be that way and to fill the deep well of her sadness and her loneliness and her bereavement with things like the Temperance movement.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
23 June 2025
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There are big notes of sweet fruit, caramelized brown sugar, black pepper, rum raisin, and cinnamon leading things off over a faint wisp of smoldering campfire which lies just underneath.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
22 June 2025
Verb
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And the team plays its best basketball when running through the center as the No. 1 offensive focal point.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
20 June 2025
-
Checking these crooked politicians who ain’t playing fair/ Shut up!—
Anna Chan,
Billboard,
20 June 2025
Verb
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But without the compliance of countries that manufacture such things, including Japan and the Netherlands, U.S. restrictions won’t work.—
KORI SCHAKE,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
-
Perhaps reflecting the changing finances and current geographical realities of the industry, 43 of those 48 projects are independent films, with many working with budgets of $10M or less.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
24 June 2025
Verb
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The Administration’s political calculus seems aimed at punishing and intimidating Democrats who challenge the President’s agenda.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
18 June 2025
-
Right now, fans, commentators, everybody seems to hate three-point shooting.—
Danyel Smith,
Rolling Stone,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Located outside Doha, Qatar, the base serves as the forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and houses approximately 10,000 troops.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
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The tune served as the second official promotional cut from A Rush of Blood to the Head, Coldplay’s sophomore album.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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