1
as in played
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
Relevance
2
3
as in seemed
to give the impression of being
always acting helpless, just to get attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in served
to have a certain purpose
the tail feathers of woodpeckers act as props while the birds excavate tree trunks for insects
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in pretended
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 mocked
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of acted
Reese acted as a robot, basically.
—
Simon Thompson, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Our nurses who acted with such courage and dedication during the pandemic.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 24 Dec. 2024
All available evidence indicates that the suspect, Mangione, acted alone with no ties to a government or organization.
—Max Abrahms and Joseph Mroszczyk, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
However, those vows have remained just that — vows — because the government has never acted on Flint’s public CbC reporting amendment.
—Nana Ama Sarfo, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
For a good deal of this election cycle, Gavin Newsom acted very much like a person wanting to be president.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
He is thought to have acted alone.
—Giulia Carbonaro, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
In addition to his courtroom work, Dickey has acted as a legal analyst for CNN and other media outlets.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Some agreed with his defense that Neely's behavior posed a threat, saying Penny acted to protect his fellow passengers.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Simon Thompson, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Our nurses who acted with such courage and dedication during the pandemic.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 24 Dec. 2024
All available evidence indicates that the suspect, Mangione, acted alone with no ties to a government or organization.
—Max Abrahms and Joseph Mroszczyk, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
However, those vows have remained just that — vows — because the government has never acted on Flint’s public CbC reporting amendment.
—Nana Ama Sarfo, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
For a good deal of this election cycle, Gavin Newsom acted very much like a person wanting to be president.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
He is thought to have acted alone.
—Giulia Carbonaro, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
In addition to his courtroom work, Dickey has acted as a legal analyst for CNN and other media outlets.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Some agreed with his defense that Neely's behavior posed a threat, saying Penny acted to protect his fellow passengers.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acted
Verb
-
Cox had played none and was a healthy scratch in every game.Matt Schneidman, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024
-
Harris played 15 minutes and added one assist.Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
And the front and rear hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors worked extremely well, even going downhill, without any squealing whatsoever.Scott Kramer, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
-
Some of the stream's elements worked, but it was still plagued by technical mishaps.Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Initially, things seemed to go well.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
-
By 2017, though, the Swedish DJ seemed to have reignited his passion for songwriting — and was doing his best to look inward with the hopes of discovering the key to happiness.Rachel DeSantis, People.com, 4 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Dre Skull and Kartel’s sessions produced Kingston Story, a 2010 album that was celebrated for its conscientiously cheerful temper—and served as a reminder that dancehall was not just an identifiable sound but a scene, held up by intersecting networks of enthusiasts.Naomi Zeichner, Rolling Stone, 26 Dec. 2024
-
In many African cultures, bone broths made with chicken, goat or beef bones are often served as healing soups, believed to nourish and rejuvenate the body.Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Seemingly as a gag to portray a darker Buddy, Ferrell held what appeared to be an unlit cigarette in his mouth and pretended to smoke it.Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 31 Dec. 2024
-
Oh Il-nam (Oh Yeong-su), a dying old man who pretended to be Gi-hun’s ally in the game.Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
When the Lions hired Campbell, they were mocked nationally for trusting their team to a meathead.Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
-
Others will be mocked, marginalized, and even vilified.David Rosowsky, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Reporting Deadline Notably, RUM stock has performed worse than the broader market in each of the last three years.Trefis Team, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
-
The famous Christmas song performed by Gene Autry was released in 1957.John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The team looked incompetent, even with an extra week to prepare.Chad Graff, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
-
Better still, Baltimore’s offense looked ready to go for the two-point conversion and steal a win.Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near acted
Cite this Entry
“Acted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acted. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share