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
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
as in to be (to)
to behave toward in a stated way
I would never act toward my boss that way
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of act
Simon Shuster, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
Take a moment to watch these other random acts of kindness captured on camera!
—Kendall Malinchock, USA TODAY, 14 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
These acts of creation, Leontyev explains, become a critical form of resistance against the Russians, whose goals in this war is not only to conquer Ukrainian territory but to eradicate Ukrainian culture.
—Simon Shuster, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
Take a moment to watch these other random acts of kindness captured on camera!
—Kendall Malinchock, USA TODAY, 14 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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That, in turn, may be used to sway elections or create fake pornographic images.—
Olesya Dmitracova,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Lurie’s outreach ultimately won him much of the creative community’s support, and in turn helped win him the election; he was sworn in as the 46th mayor of San Francisco in January.—
Dan Rys,
Billboard,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But in the end, the show rises or falls on whether the audience is carried along — or even cares about — Jesse’s private journey of salvation.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Information on how to secure tickets to the shows is available on the band’s website.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Likewise, Poland’s Law and Justice party weakened civil service laws by doing away with the competitive hiring process and filling the bureaucracy, the judiciary, and the military with partisan allies.—
STEVEN LEVITSKY,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Idaho law requires people who may sue the state or a local government to file claims to give government agencies the chance to address the complaint before a lawsuit is filed.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
This was when things took a turn from par for the rap course to serious allegations with real potential consequences.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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Throughout filming, things got more serious on set as people got more into the moment because the story was more serious.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Incorporating aloe vera juice into your morning routine is a simple but powerful change, and the benefits are undeniable, at least for me.—
Sofía Esquivel,
Glamour,
11 Feb. 2025
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Keep in mind that a reliable morning routine and bedtime routine are still necessary to ensure that kids maintain healthy habits and to provide them with a stable household—but there can be some flexibility to a household structure.—
Jana Pollack,
Parents,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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For more about how to tell generative AI to carry out a pretense, known as an AI persona, see my coverage at the link here.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
-
There were no pretenses and no judgments — a theme that resonated throughout the retreat.—
Colby Holiday,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Trump administration vows to rehire DOGE Treasury Department employee who resigned over racist posts Turco said Lincoln, whose likeness is also on the $5 bill, was added to the coin in 1909.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
11 Feb. 2025
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That means Republicans will need total unanimity to pass a bill in the chamber.—
Riley Beggin,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Reddit users were just as quick to praise the pedestrian's actions, seeing the moment as a justified comeback rather than reckless behavior.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
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But that entire apartment is a standing set, and most of the episode’s action (outside of a few brief street scenes) takes place inside.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near act
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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