ACTOR Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

actor

noun

ˈak-tər

Definition of actor

as in actress

one who acts professionally (as in a play, movie, or television show) my sister went to drama school to become an actor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in participant

one who takes part in something Benjamin Franklin was a major actor in many of the events leading up to the founding of our nation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 actor In another, called Leucippe and Clitophon, Leucippe is saved from being sacrificed as a virgin by the timely appearance of an actor who uses theatre tricks used to perform deaths on stage to fake her death and spirit her away. — Literary Hub, 30 June 2026 Smollett was accused of staging a hate crime — which was originally reported as a racist and homophobic crime against the Empire actor— in Chicago in February 2019. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026 Travis Kelce's brother, Jason Kelce, and his wife, Kylie Kelce, are expected to attend, as are fellow NFL star George Kittle and actor-singer Suki Waterhouse. — Charlie Carballo, USA Today, 1 July 2026 Other investors in the latest round include actors Glen Powell, Rob McElhenney and Tony Cavalero and country singer Warren Zeiders, as well as Bolt Ventures, the family office of David Blitzer. — Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for actor

Recent Examples of Synonyms for actor

Noun

That said, the actress has a few staples in her routine that help enhance her glowy, youthful appearance.

— Grace Scollo, InStyle, 4 July 2026
The first actress cast in the lead part of Captain Kathryn Janeway, Genevieve Bujold, quit after two days on the job.

— Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 July 2026

Definition of actress

Noun

Although one participant appeared remotely, on a large TV monitor, during the real interrogation, the theatrical version places all three figures in the same room.

— Rhoda Feng, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
To file a claim, participants must fill out the claim form on the settlement website.

— Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 6 July 2026

Definition of participant

Noun

The performer and brother of pop star Ariana Grande was a shoo-in for the parts, having played them as far back as 2018.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
The data can be used for special effects work or as a reference for a video game artist creating a character around a performer.

— Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 6 July 2026

Definition of performer

Noun

While veterans jockey for new contracts during free agency, young players are getting their tryout opportunities with NBA summer league games beginning this week.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
The coach also praised his players for keeping their emotions in check after the red card and other decisions by the officiating crew.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

Definition of player

Noun

Instead, Hargitay learned at age 30 that her bio-dad was Italian entertainer Nelson Sardelli — Giovanna Sardelli’s father — with whom Mansfield had a brief relationship while separated from Mickey Hargitay in the early 1960s.

— Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
There’s a difference between being an entertainer and an artist.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 July 2026

Definition of entertainer

Noun

Here are several of the most impressive ways these actors and their fellow thespians committed to doing their characters justice.

— Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
Another group of budding young thespians have joined Prime Video‘s YA adaptation of Chloe Walsh‘s BookTok sensation Boys of Tommen.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 25 June 2026

Definition of thespian

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activity

actor

actorish

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“Actor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actor. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of actor

noun

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