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
M. Z. Adnan, New Yorker, 20 July 2025
That occurred in May 1886 when Prof. H. Cooke and his assistant, Louise Bremond, brought their act to town for two successive nights at the Opera House for a packed house.
—Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 July 2025
Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
To support document intelligence, a secure, centralized digital vault can act as a single source of truth for client, advisor and enterprise records.
—Daniel Kenny, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
Palestinians’ resistance to their displacement is visible not only in images of young men brandishing weapons, Khader said, but in simple acts: an elderly woman tending to her land, remaining to care for her olive trees despite the ruins that now surround her.
—M. Z. Adnan, New Yorker, 20 July 2025
That occurred in May 1886 when Prof. H. Cooke and his assistant, Louise Bremond, brought their act to town for two successive nights at the Opera House for a packed house.
—Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 July 2025
Verb
King's family has long expressed doubts about whether Ray acted alone or was even involved in the killing.
—Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
To support document intelligence, a secure, centralized digital vault can act as a single source of truth for client, advisor and enterprise records.
—Daniel Kenny, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
-
Apache Stronghold in turn has asked the high court to reconsider its request to have the case heard.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
30 July 2025
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In recent sessions, some state leaders and individual lawmakers have chafed under the rules that make for a slow start, which in turn always means a mad rush at the end to get bills over the finish line.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Noun
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Though Colbert's show has been nominated for 33 Emmys in all, across various categories, since 2017, it's never won.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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As the show opens, the audience is introduced to Ka’iana (Momoa).—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In 1965: In a landmark moment for health care, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed amendments to the Social Securities Act of 1935 into law, creating two federal health programs: Medicare and Medicaid.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
31 July 2025
-
Tuscaloosa's first brewpub, opening after Alabama passed a 2009 gourmet beer law, spotlights musicians, writers and other artists in its Moon Room, serves stylized pub food with indoor-outdoor dining and offers classic pinball, video and board games inside.—
Susan Stapleton,
The Tennessean,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
One thing's for certain, The Boring Company's tunnel to BNA will be anything but boring.—
Charles Singh,
The Tennessean,
29 July 2025
-
Both families are wanting charges to be brought forward, but Joe knows his daughter has one thing to focus on at the moment.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
29 July 2025
Verb
-
Malakian explains the role Ozzfest played in elevating System of a Down’s profile.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
26 July 2025
-
Binaural beats are an auditory illusion created when two tones of slightly different frequencies are played separately into each ear at the same time.—
Noma Nazish,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
Verb
-
The start-up, which is today announcing a $9 million funding round, says its agentic artificial intelligence (AI) tools can help leading market research firms work more quickly and cost-effectively than ever before.—
David Prosser,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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Kaine and Paul have worked together on legislative efforts to stop Trump's tariffs.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
31 July 2025
Verb
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There seems to have been some confusion about the severity of the misdemeanor to which Brown ultimately pleaded no contest.—
Sarah Volpenhein,
jsonline.com,
25 July 2025
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While some seemed excited about Buck's sudden appearance, some speculated about the possibility of Stephanopoulos leaving the show.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
Verb
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Wheeler, who has his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Arkansas State University, also served briefly as ASU-Newport's interim chancellor in 2021.—
Ryan Anderson,
Arkansas Online,
30 July 2025
-
The Union has several restaurants signed, including those serving Mexican, Japanese and Thai food.—
John Tuohy,
IndyStar,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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