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as in plot
the unfolding of events in a dramatic or literary work the mystery writer displays a sure hand in managing the novel's complicated but never incoherent action

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in lawsuit
a court case for enforcing a right or claim filed an action in county court to recover his lawn mower from his neighbor, who claims he "gave" it to her

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in field
active fighting during the course of a war the battalion saw action soon after it arrived in France

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 action Despite calls from some of Texas’ most powerful Republicans, French will likely stay in office if action isn’t taken locally, according to Calvin Jillson, a political science professor at SMU. Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2025 One of Netflix’s big movie plays for July is the sequel to its very silly but very fun action fantasy film The Old Guard. Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025 So yes, action thriller elements or not, this is a Kurosawa movie through and through. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 July 2025 The Kremlin said both leaders condemned Israel's actions, describing them as violations of international law. Amanda Castro shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for action
Recent Examples of Synonyms for action
Noun
  • Miranda is so full of possibility and adventure and what’s going to come next, and Ada is trying so hard to be that way and to fill the deep well of her sadness and her loneliness and her bereavement with things like the Temperance movement.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 23 June 2025
  • There are big notes of sweet fruit, caramelized brown sugar, black pepper, rum raisin, and cinnamon leading things off over a faint wisp of smoldering campfire which lies just underneath.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • The number of politically motivated attacks and plots against government agents in just the past five years is three times higher than those in the previous 25 years combined, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
    Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The family at the heart of the story run a tourism business allowing Cappadocia to feature in a way that naturally chimes with the narrative, but the connection between landscape and plot runs far deeper, series director Murat Saraçoğlu says.
    Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was added Friday to a lawsuit against his former employer, the University of Michigan, and a former assistant football coach accused of hacking into computer systems to acquire photos of college athletes.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
  • Advocates immediately filed a class-action lawsuit to block Trump's plan, which would end automatic citizenship for babies born in the United States unless their parents were also citizens or legal, permanent residents.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Stay away from open fields, hill summits, or ridge tops.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2025
  • In addition to the Vienna field study, the company offers courses to professional and civic leaders on housing policy and homelessness.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • At Bock Realty Group, trust is built in the small, consistent behaviors that often go unnoticed: celebrating wins, checking in without being asked, and showing up with steady care.
    Alain Hunkins, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The intense exchange between Kemp, 48, and Rock, 25, took place early Tuesday (July 1) morning, with Rock allegedly calling the social media personality to seemingly address Kemp’s remarks regarding her behavior and parenting of her son with rapper Blueface, who is currently incarcerated.
    Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Nevertheless, Infantino’s remarks show ambition to enact what would be a seismic change to how professional men’s soccer has operated in the United States.
    Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • Advertisement Since a trip to China in 2018, you’ve been outspoken about the threat posed by China’s AI ambitions.
    Harry Booth, Time, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • Yet a war with Iran may be enough to seemingly legitimize his use of the act.
    Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025
  • Of all the acts, though, Sudanese American vocalist Dua Saleh was the most subdued, swaying between heart-fluttering falsettos and cunning raps.
    Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • However, Walters' incredible career is only part of her story.
    Sean Keane, ABC News, 23 June 2025
  • In the box office smash, the talented singer and actress portrays Elphaba, the green witch from the famed Wizard of Oz story.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Action.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/action. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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