act

act

noun

Definition of ACT

1

a performance regularly presented by an individual or group <in his nightclub act he impersonates a veritable galaxy of movie stars>

Synonyms bit, number, routine, shtick (also schtick or shtik), turn

Related Words signature

2

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 act, airs, charade, disguise, facade (also fa{ccedil}ade), front, guise, playacting, pose, pretense (or pretence), put-on, semblance, show

Related Words impersonation, performance, portrayal; image, persona; appearance, color, gloss; camouflage, cloak; affectation, deceit, deception, dissembling, dissimulation, double-dealing, duplicity, fakery, fraud, guile; betrayal, double cross, faithlessness, falseness, falsity, infidelity, perfidy, treachery, treason, unfaithfulness; excuse, pretext

Near Antonyms bluntness, candidness, candor, directness, forthrightness, frankness, openheartedness, outspokenness, plainspokenness, sincerity, straightforwardness; artlessness, genuineness, naïveté (also naivete or naivet{eacute})

3

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 act, bill, constitution, enactment, ordinance, statute

Related Words command, commandment, decree, dictate, directive, edict, fiat, ruling; bylaw, ground rule, regulation, rule; amendment, legislation; common law, martial law; blue law; prohibition, proscription, restriction; canon, capitulary, encyclical

Near Antonyms higher law

4

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 act, deed, doing, exploit, feat, thing

Related Words accomplishment, achievement, attainment; adventure, experience; emprise, enterprise, initiative, undertaking; handiwork, performance, work; stunt, trick; activity, dealing; maneuver, measure, move, operation, procedure, proceeding, step, tactic; coaction