1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
The jury will be completed by Irish-Ethiopian actress and producer Ruth Negga, Belgian director and screenwriter Laura Wandel, Chinese director and screenwriter Chloé Zhao, Chilean filmmaker Diego Céspedes, IvorianAmerican actor Isaach De Bankolé and Scottish screenwriter Paul Laverty.
—
Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 4 May 2026
Of course, there are many lovely actors who are curious and ask you questions about yourself and are normal, but a lot of them have been suffering from long-term main character energy and don’t have the magnetic personality to offset their narcissism.
—Ryan O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
But all those writerly and directorial flourishes only work because of the inexperienced actors who fully inhabit their characters, led by Winston Sawyers (Ralph), David McKenna (Piggy), Ike Talbut (Simon) and Lox Pratt (Jack).
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
Starting Wednesday, all the actors put the costumes on, starting from Act One of the show and send back things that don’t fit right and feedback for any other final adjustments needed.
—Kansas City Star, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for actor
Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 4 May 2026
Of course, there are many lovely actors who are curious and ask you questions about yourself and are normal, but a lot of them have been suffering from long-term main character energy and don’t have the magnetic personality to offset their narcissism.
—Ryan O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
But all those writerly and directorial flourishes only work because of the inexperienced actors who fully inhabit their characters, led by Winston Sawyers (Ralph), David McKenna (Piggy), Ike Talbut (Simon) and Lox Pratt (Jack).
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
Starting Wednesday, all the actors put the costumes on, starting from Act One of the show and send back things that don’t fit right and feedback for any other final adjustments needed.
—Kansas City Star, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for actor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actor
Noun
-
Cohosts on the view range from age 36 (former White House strategic communications director Alyssa Farah Griffin) to 83 (actress-comedian Joy Behar).—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
-
The lawyer pulled up more than a dozen emails showing the once-budding actress fawning over the Oscar-winning producer and seeking his counsel like a father figure.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Among the novelties in this edition, which lured close to 11,000 in both festival and industry events, were outdoor screenings, out of competition screenings and an extension to the capital of Bogotá which will showcase some nine Alternativa participants.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
3 May 2026
-
If everyone succeeded, the box got shorter for the next round, while the other participants hovered nearby to catch anyone who wobbled.—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
No performer has ever won back-to-back guest drama actor Emmys for the same role.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The determination means Lane will be the show’s only potential leading performer in this year’s Tony race.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Jayson Tatum also suffered an apparent calf injury, which is a major concern for a player just under a year removed from an Achilles injury.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
That escalated into a shoving match that spilled into the sideline, causing players from both teams to intervene.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The entertainer gained notoriety on social media in the late 2010s for his sketches mocking niche everyday scenarios.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
-
Wilson, the reigning entertainer of the year at the ACMs, will be defending her title against a first-time contender in that category, Moroney, along with Stapleton, Johnson, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll and Morgan Wallen.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
And in doing so, Gunther often lulls crowds into becoming sporting event spectators rather than the raucous participators that most other wrestlers try to draw out of them.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
For a pioneering English thespian, whose career has been largely defined by a character consumed with obsession, this particular project carries an unintended symbolism.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
-
After word gets out that Frank Capra plans to see a matinee performance, a series of comedic twists and turns determines the fate of whether the two thespians achieve their acting ambitions.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Actor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actor. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
