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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

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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

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

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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 action From reducing emissions equivalent to taking 100,000 cars off the road for a year to protecting vast areas of land and ocean, the program has proven that collective action can create extraordinary change. Erin Hill, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024 In one of the final episodes on USA, WWE jam-packed the two-hour time slot with a myriad of deep, developing storylines and some solid in-ring action. Brian Mazique, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 Tensions also remain high between Israel and Iran after tit-for-tat long-range strikes in recent months and threats of further military action from both sides. David Brennan, ABC News, 2 Dec. 2024 And what are the legal consequences for governments whose actions, or lack of action, have significantly harmed the climate and environment? Molly Quell, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for action 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for action
Noun
  • That's more my thing than discovering every corner of the world.
    Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • American manufacturing had its heyday in the 1950s when workers making things accounted for more than 30% of all employees.
    Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • On September 18, the dot plot of median FOMC member forecasts conveyed that Fed members expected the federal funds rate to be at 3.4% at the end of 2025 and 2.9% at the end of 2026.
    Jason Schenker, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
  • Down and Kay notably stepped up to direct the last two episodes of the season, which deliver explosive plot twists on top of poignant moments and pure emotion.
    Carole Horst, Variety, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • People react to lawsuit naming dogs Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.
    Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Multiple other lawsuits have been filed against Combs since then, including one from Dawn Richard, a former member of the girl group Danity Kane.
    Chloe Melas, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Then, at the end of the quarter, quarterback Aidan O’Connell was knocked out of the game and carted off the field with a knee injury and an air cast on his leg.
    Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Technology tests in include regolith sampling, regolith adherence, Global Navigation Satellite System abilities, radiation tolerant computing, and dust mitigation using electrodynamic fields.
    Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • While the requirement to stay in character was applied externally—in some cases by media attempts to entrap Santas with the suggestion of inappropriate behavior—the men Hancock interviewed described feeling their own commitment.
    Laura Clawson, JSTOR Daily, 15 Dec. 2024
  • Taylor and Cook have both apologized for past behavior.
    Eric Larsen, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Married to her husband for seven years, Kristyn balances her professional ambitions and family life with enthusiasm and determination.
    Esther Carlstone, Parents, 18 Dec. 2024
  • To fight to make sure everyone has a fair shot to pursue their ambitions.
    Molly Nagle, ABC News, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • It’s most effectively rendered in the second act’s rumble — a stark, visceral, and surprising set piece that uses rain and strobe lighting and leaves both cast and audience breathless.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024
  • The independence in both men got them to their electoral fates essentially as solo acts.
    Philip Elliott, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Maybe even more than surprise story of the year Indiana, Arizona State looks interesting in the Playoff given its offensive weaponry.
    The Athletic College Football, The Athletic, 8 Dec. 2024
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near action

Cite this Entry

“Action.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/action. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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