as in interim
serving in a position for the time being
will serve as acting president of the university until a permanent replacement can be found
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in theatre
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in playing
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
2
as in working
to produce a desired effect
the painkiller acted surprisingly quickly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in seeming
to give the impression of being
always acting helpless, just to get attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in serving
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 pretending
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 mocking
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
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 acting
Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
The Washington Post reported they must be replaced in an acting role by someone who has been confirmed by the Senate or served in the watchdog community.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Zack Sharf, Variety, 20 Mar. 2025
Nicholson said some of his hesitation to pursue acting came from his Hollywood childhood.
—Elizabeth Stanton, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025
John Tamny, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Those officials could be then tapped for acting positions.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for acting
Adjective
The role currently is filled on an acting basis by Rear Adm. Lia Reynolds.
—Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
The Washington Post reported they must be replaced in an acting role by someone who has been confirmed by the Senate or served in the watchdog community.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Noun
Across his four-decade acting career, Willis’ movies grossed over $5 billion worldwide.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 20 Mar. 2025
Nicholson said some of his hesitation to pursue acting came from his Hollywood childhood.
—Elizabeth Stanton, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
Fed regulators presuming the imposition of broad capital requirements are acting in as conceited a fashion as FOMC members setting a rate of interest.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Those officials could be then tapped for acting positions.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for acting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acting
Adjective
-
She was named interim president in August on the same day former president Minouche Shafik, facing scrutiny for her handling of Columbia campus encampments protesting the war between Israel and Hamas, stepped down.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Analysts have interpreted the strikes as a warning against the new Syrian government in Damascus, headed by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and its backer, Turkey.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Then something strange happened — the Falcons started playing like one of the best defenses in the league.—
Josh Kendall,
The Athletic,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Deion Sanders began his NFL career with the Falcons in 1989, also playing baseball for the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves well into the 1990s.—
Dan Pompei,
The Athletic,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Or pushing through with friendships that aren’t really working anymore, and maybe never did.—
Daisy Jones,
Vogue,
27 Dec. 2024
-
There have been many examples of that from our first edition up until today with global producers and DJs working with top headliners from Saudi, Egypt, Lebanon and rest of the Arab world.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Step one is converting a Mayfair to their side, with Moira seeming like the easiest target.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
5 Jan. 2025
-
Despite the seeming doom and gloom, many institutions are stepping up to the plate in the face of these challenges, creating more accessible pathways to higher education.—
Susan R. Burns,
New York Daily News,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The school's kitchen and cafeteria are congested with long serving lines, according to the district's website.—
Alec Johnson,
Journal Sentinel,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Shanghai remains the hub for the new model, with the city serving as the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China's center of production, as well as the base for its research and development departments.—
George Monastiriakos,
Newsweek,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
While maintaining a quirky and mysterious air, the show yields questions like, is a cult real if its creators are pretending but its followers aren’t?—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
24 Dec. 2024
-
June Squibb plays the titular Thelma, who gets taken in by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson Danny (Fred Hechinger) to the tune of $10,000.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Quad’s grievances spill over into her relationship with Heavenly, which ties into Heavenly and Quad mocking Sweet Tea on social media.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Naturally, the Internet lost its mind, and the scene quickly went viral, with viewers mocking and/or sharing their disbelief at Sheridan's dialogue.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
19 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
-
As for entertainment, pick your poison: live music, board games, or something off its bookshelf.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
29 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acting. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share