1
2
as in show
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 law
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
4
as in thing
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 to play
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
4
5
as in to pretend
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 to mock
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 act
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
Most of the other acts featured students dressed up in costumes or snazzy duds.
—Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Clayton Davis, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
Plants act like sponges, Martineau explained.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
Music unites the interconnecting stories in this saga and expands its passions, with a sumptuous score by composer Stephen Flaherty and lyricist Lynn Ahrens that taps into a wide range of American styles, idioms and amalgams, even as the second act turns more dissonant.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
Most of the other acts featured students dressed up in costumes or snazzy duds.
—Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
Consider the 1994 film year, when both supporting acting categories flirted with the possibility of double-dipping.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
Plants act like sponges, Martineau explained.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
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Murray, in turn, was asked to be a two-way player in ways that were not necessarily originally expected for the young prospect with a deft shooting touch.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The study showed that the robot could make multiple turns exceeding 100 degrees along its body length when activated.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In addition to her cooking shows and onscreen projects, Gomez is also the founder of Rare Beauty and the Rare Impact Fund.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Starring Hard Truths breakout Tuwaine Barrett, the film follows a group of old friends who reunite to celebrate one of their own opening a gallery show in Copenhagen.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
To the extent permitted by applicable law, all judgments or awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket damages (excluding attorneys’ fees) associated with participation in this Promotion and shall not include any indirect, punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Colorado law defines stalking, in part, as when a person knowingly and repeatedly follows, approaches, contacts or communicates with another person in a way that causes that person serious emotional distress.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And while handing Ole Miss its first loss of the year was reason to celebrate, things got pretty somber rather quickly for the Bulldogs after learning the injury status of one of their top playmakers.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
-
In addition, a stranger will come to town that will shake things up for Sharon and recontextualize both her past and her present.—
Alamin Yohannes,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
He's played Dante Falconeri on the soap since 2009 and has appeared in over 1,600 episodes as the mob boss.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Betts made a Gold Glove finalist-worthy play for the first out – ranging into the hole to make a backhand play then a jump throw to first.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The organization has a partnership with the nonprofit Allbritton Journalism Institute, which sponsors a multi-year class of 20 fellows who work closely with professional journalists in the newsroom.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Now working for United Airlines as an avionics technician at Newark Liberty International Airport, repairing plane engines and electrical systems, the 25-year-old has already doubled her investment in the program and makes over six-figures.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While most of us on the plane were in this same unexpected predicament, a passenger nearby didn't seem to be sharing in our misery thanks to a compact gadget propped up their phone to the perfect viewing height.—
Anita Katee,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
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Knowledge of these models can challenge what seems common sense.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Upon his return to Monaco, Wenden served as Chief of Staff and International Affairs Advisor to the President of the Conseil National de Monaco and Chargé de Mission to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Government of Monaco, between 2007 and 2013.—
Olivier Wenden,
Fortune,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Every member of the CDC’s Washington office, which serves as a conduit between the agency’s Atlanta headquarters and Capitol Hill, was fired; barring a second round of reversals, that office appears to be closed.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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