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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
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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
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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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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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of act
Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
And now, a woman has lost her life because of this despicable act.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
Laura Paddison, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024
Years after swearing off acting, Jim Carrey returns to the big screen next week.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for act 
Noun
The massacre committed by Hamas and other Palestinian fighters was the deadliest act of anti-Jewish violence since the Holocaust.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
And now, a woman has lost her life because of this despicable act.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
But the company says its project is inspired by natural processes and offers a last chance to protect a disappearing ecosystem as the world fails to act swiftly on climate change.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024
Years after swearing off acting, Jim Carrey returns to the big screen next week.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
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However, his career saw a turn driving for Stewart-Haas Racing in 2024, achieving a third-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway, and bagging seven top-10 finishes over 36 races.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
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This in turn helps to explain why OnePlus, also popular in India, has had its market share eaten into in 2024 to the tune of almost 40 percent year-on-year, and why the mid-tier brand Realme is also on the decline.Andrew Williams, WIRED, 7 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Anderson, who spent five years on the show, famously performed slow-motion running sequences in the red suit, cementing her place in pop culture history.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
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The show, which costarred Michael Cole and Clarence Williams III and ran for five seasons, earned Lipton four Emmy nominations and the 1971 Golden Globe for best actress in a television drama.Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The State Department’s decision to update the J-1 Exchange Visitors Skills List may prevent many researchers from being pushed out of the United States due to immigration law.Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
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To get money from the 2021 law, states and agencies must submit plans to an office run jointly by the Energy and Transportation departments.Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu, Austin American-Statesman, 8 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This can lead to anxiety and self-doubt when things don’t go as expected.Fiona Tapp, Parents, 18 Dec. 2024
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There has been chatter about getting a deal done for a merger, but things have yet to materialize.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In an earlier episode, the family’s patriarch, John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner, was murdered.Lisa Respers France, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
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Jamaal Jarrett, 6-5 and 350 pounds, played in 11 games this as a true sophomore for Georgia this season and recorded 3 tackles.Richard Davenport, arkansasonline.com, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Less than two minutes later, the Lightning went to work on the power play and showed why their top unit is still a formidable threat despite Steven Stamkos’ departure.Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
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The group was previously linked to al-Qaida, but has disavowed those ties in 2016 and has sought to present itself as a more moderate organization willing to work with all Syrians.Greg Myre, NPR, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The triumph of Donald Trump, who has pledged to increase fossil-fuel production and to (yet again) pull the U.S. out of the negotiating process, makes progress over the next four years seem unlikely.Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2024
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Providing vague or incomplete financial data, or worse, inflating numbers to seem more profitable, will only lead to a rejection.Melissa Houston, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Verb
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So please, please, please grab your espresso and cookies because Ms. Carpenter is serving a short-and-sweet holiday special filled with beautiful gowns, showstopping performances, cheeky innuendos and cameos from stars like Chappell Roan, Shania Twain, Quinta Brunson and many more.Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 7 Dec. 2024
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Ginsberg, who died at 87, and Feinstein, who died at 90, were still serving in their positions up until the time of their death.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near act
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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