1
2
as in shows
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 laws
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 things
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 plays
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
3
as in seems
to give the impression of being
always acting helpless, just to get attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in functions
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 pretends
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 mocks
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.
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Recent Examples of acts
Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The acts also got the chance to meet members of the royal family.
—Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
This is about the acts of an individual.
—ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
Looming over the photo was a statue of La Santa Muerte, known among law enforcement as a saint invoked to protect criminal acts.
—ProPublica, 13 Sep. 2025
These horrific, violent acts have no place in our society.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Kirk’s assassin, as well as anyone else who engages in barbaric acts, should be condemned, face the ultimate legal consequences for their actions and be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
One of Cook’s first acts was to bring Lockwood on staff full time, too.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
Pepper points out that pigs on factory farms commit acts of violence that would otherwise be rare in their communities.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2025
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Now there’s the new Yummy Skin Liquid Blurring Balm Mattifying Setting Spray, a weightless setting spray that acts like a blurring and mattifying powder.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
The base breakout in NIO acts as a bullish long-term catalyst for the stock, both in absolute and relative terms.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
An unbalanced molecule, such as carbon monoxide, acts like a positive and negative charge bonded together.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Formerly Gytpol, now called Remedio, has developed an AI model that acts like a hacker, looking for misconfigurations that might be useful for exploitation and then alerting IT, which can remediate the issue with a single click.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Just as public outrage begins to mount, the gun lobby acts quickly to reinforce the status quo.
—John J. Donohue, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Dehydration may be involved, as alcohol acts as a diuretic, like caffeine.
—Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2025
Crowe, in contrast, acts with consummate command even as Göring, by design, keeps the audience at arm’s length.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
Start with small acts of inclusion and put inclusion into action.
—Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The acts also got the chance to meet members of the royal family.
—Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
This is about the acts of an individual.
—ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
Looming over the photo was a statue of La Santa Muerte, known among law enforcement as a saint invoked to protect criminal acts.
—ProPublica, 13 Sep. 2025
These horrific, violent acts have no place in our society.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Kirk’s assassin, as well as anyone else who engages in barbaric acts, should be condemned, face the ultimate legal consequences for their actions and be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
One of Cook’s first acts was to bring Lockwood on staff full time, too.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
Pepper points out that pigs on factory farms commit acts of violence that would otherwise be rare in their communities.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
The order, which, again, acts like one blanket prescription, allows pharmacists and other healthcare professionals to look at FDA approval for vaccines and not ACIP recommendations.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Now there’s the new Yummy Skin Liquid Blurring Balm Mattifying Setting Spray, a weightless setting spray that acts like a blurring and mattifying powder.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
The base breakout in NIO acts as a bullish long-term catalyst for the stock, both in absolute and relative terms.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
An unbalanced molecule, such as carbon monoxide, acts like a positive and negative charge bonded together.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Formerly Gytpol, now called Remedio, has developed an AI model that acts like a hacker, looking for misconfigurations that might be useful for exploitation and then alerting IT, which can remediate the issue with a single click.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Just as public outrage begins to mount, the gun lobby acts quickly to reinforce the status quo.
—John J. Donohue, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Dehydration may be involved, as alcohol acts as a diuretic, like caffeine.
—Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2025
Crowe, in contrast, acts with consummate command even as Göring, by design, keeps the audience at arm’s length.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acts
Noun
-
The eligibility dates for the 2024 Emmy Awards apply to shows that aired between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
There will be mermaid swim shows and meet and greets, pirate adventure shows and sailor camp.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Critics argued that such laws were exclusionary in a nation built on immigration.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Asma and other members of the group were taken from their Delhi homes in the evening, but that may be in contravention of Indian laws which say that women cannot be detained after sunset or before sunrise except in certain circumstances.—
Esha Mitra,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Acting is such an exercise in using your body, figuring out what’s working, figuring out what’s not, trying things, not being afraid to try things, taking notes, playing off other people, learning from other people.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
-
However, if the latest reports are to be believed, the hatchet has been buried, or at the very least, things are well enough that Queen Camilla would support her husband’s desire to make up with his son.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the film, Bajpayee plays the police officer while Jim Sarbh essays the role of the killer who goes by the fictional name Carl Bhojraj.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Soil moisture also plays a huge role, with the MSU Forestry Extension adding that ample precipitation is required for the most robust displays of color.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Technology works, but scaling it to a level that meaningfully impacts global emissions is an entirely different challenge.—
Peter Bendor-Samuel,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Otherwise, the oil works as a specialized scalp treatment, too, or to provide nourishment during protective styling.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The KidSuper designer seems to always be taking on a new thing—a collaboration, writing a play—yet this might be his greatest yet.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Yet, there seems an equal possibility that science’s ability to deal with these would have advanced as well.—
Scott Montgomery,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Several SSDs can be combined into a single RAID that then functions as a single drive.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The researchers also discovered a feedback loop between GH and a brainstem hub called the locus coeruleus, which functions to keep us alert.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
One big topic in the news these days is that AI often pretends to be your best friend and will praise you to the high heavens.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
In the clip, the pair execute the moves to the song’s post-chorus, before a bonnet-wearing Colbert pretends to choke on something, causing Gaga to erupt in laughter.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acts. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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