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
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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
Troy Smith, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
The house is a replica of the one in Solingen, Germany where a notorious act of arson in 1993 committed by a group of young far-right extremists left five Turkish migrant women and girls of the Genç family dead.
—Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 15 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
The ballot includes mainstream acts like Mariah Carey, Outkast, Oasis and Cyndi Lauper.
—Troy Smith, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
The house is a replica of the one in Solingen, Germany where a notorious act of arson in 1993 committed by a group of young far-right extremists left five Turkish migrant women and girls of the Genç family dead.
—Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 15 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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Makeup got maximal too: at the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of SNL, Sarah Sherman accessorized her mullet with a rainbow beaded Susan Alexandra necklace, that in turn matched her fuchsia and baby pink eyeshadow, blush, and lips.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
23 Feb. 2025
-
This, in turn, disrupts the original structures of both galaxies.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The show was created and produced by Banijay Benelux label TwentyTwo.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2025
-
So far, she’s completed four shows in Brisbane and two of four nights in Sydney.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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This law has protected disabled people in schools, workplaces, hospitals, and out in their communities for over 50 years.—
Rebekah Taussig,
TIME,
24 Feb. 2025
-
The lawsuit seeks to hit the offending parties with hundreds of millions of dollars in fines and penalties for breaking state law.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
One thing, however, stood out: a heavily bandaged left wrist.—
C. Isaiah Smalls II,
Miami Herald,
22 Feb. 2025
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But ignorance is also power if not knowing certain things or leaving certain things unexamined permit you to continue in your life and not be paralyzed.—
Sean Illing,
Vox,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Players who for years were starved for the chance to play meaningful games on behalf of their country now would be able to face-off for international bragging rights.—
Greg Rosenstein,
NBC News,
21 Feb. 2025
-
For all of the conversation late last year analyzing how quickly Sporting KC might be able to shuffle the chairs — or even Vermes praising the way his team played Wednesday — a swap at striker, a swap in the mentality at striker, transcends everything else.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Baldwin, who works as a program manager for a nonprofit that holds classes and workshops for seniors, gets small raises sporadically and hasn’t received a bump in two years.—
Paul Davidson,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
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In season 3, Patrick plays Saxon Ratliff, the eldest son of Timothy (played by Jason Isaacs) and Victoria (Parker Posey), who works for his father’s company.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
People.com,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Jim Acosta's days at CNN are done, but his feud with President Donald Trump seems far from over.—
Jay Stahl,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
-
In addition to cutting Smith, Indianapolis seems unlikely to re-sign center Ryan Kelly, who is also an unrestricted free agent.—
James Boyd,
The Athletic,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Psaki, who served as the first press secretary for President Joe Biden, joined MSNBC in 2022 and launched her Sunday show the next year.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Rashad Jamal, the former rapper who leads the University of Cosmic Intelligence and is now serving 18 years on child-molestation charges, has repeatedly cast his prosecution as persecution.—
David Peisner,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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