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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
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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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of act
Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Jan. 2025
In between, Fleetwood Mac released an album without Buckingham or Nicks that missed the Billboard 200 entirely, and the band was reduced to touring as REO Speedwagon’s opening act.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 9 Jan. 2025
Clara McMahon, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Davis has been acting since age 11, pursuing his passion in spite of challenges presented by living with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a rare form of dwarfism.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for act 
Noun
The homosexual act is just the beginning of the depravity.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Jan. 2025
In between, Fleetwood Mac released an album without Buckingham or Nicks that missed the Billboard 200 entirely, and the band was reduced to touring as REO Speedwagon’s opening act.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
Thousands of customers just got this Bioderma micellar water that acts as a gentle cleanser and makeup remover, and another lot of shoppers picked up this Verb shampoo and conditioner that’s hardly ever on sale.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Davis has been acting since age 11, pursuing his passion in spite of challenges presented by living with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a rare form of dwarfism.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
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European tech leaders are concerned about the risk that punitive EU measures on U.S. tech firms could provoke a reaction from Trump, which might in turn cause the bloc to soften its approach.Ryan Browne, CNBC, 6 Jan. 2025
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Echevarría also had turns as the enigmatic British agent Raoul, who doubles as the manager of a Havana cigar factory, in the James Bond film Die Another Day (2002), and as Mexican president Antonio López de Santa Anna in John Lee Hancock’s The Alamo (2004).Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Hatch, a forward with the Washington Spirit, recently launched The Ditto Podcast, a self-improvement show.Melanie Anzidei, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
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For the first time in all 40 seasons of The Challenge, the show ended in a tie.Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Rolovich alleged the school violated federal and state laws by discriminating against him based on his religious beliefs.Ralph D. Russo, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
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Under federal law, the plaintiff must show that CNN acted with malice in its report.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Special run-flat tires, a new thing at the time, finish off the impenetrable visage.Josh Max, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
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In the grand scheme of things, a game on a field is nothing compared to the task of losing a loved one or rebuilding a life after losing it all.Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Osaka was better than Garcia, who was playing her first match after a three-month mental health break.Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
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Boldo contains antioxidants, which help protect cell health and play a role in preventing certain health conditions.Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Do just one exercise, for 30-60 seconds, then continue working.Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
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Zelenskyy and his top officials have been working hard to build ties with the incoming administration and convince the president-elect of the need to support Ukraine and contain Russia.David Brennan, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The justices seemed generally unconvinced by TikTok’s main argument that banning TikTok violates the free speech rights of its millions of users in the U.S., which means the app could disappear from app stores as soon as this week.Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025
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In 2020, my colleague Olga Khazan asked why no one seemed interested in creating a modern temperance movement.Shayla Love, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Dating back to 1977, that party has won all but one of 12 gubernatorial contests in the state, with Democrats' narrow win in 2013 serving as the lone exception.Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025
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Trudeau has served as Canada’s prime minister for nine years and led the Liberal Party for 11.Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near act
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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