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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of act
Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 28 Apr. 2025
State law enforcement agencies wanting to participate in the program must enter into memorandums of agreement with ICE, according to the act, before participating in the program.
—Michelle Watson, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025
Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 29 Apr. 2025
In a separate April 24 letter, 58 members of Congress demanded the labor board's acting general counsel, William Cowen, answer a number of questions including how DOGE officials got approval for the labor board access, what information was taken and why certain controls were disabled.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
Keenan and his Tool bandmates are one of the many acts scheduled to appear at the Back to the Beginning concert, which takes place in Birmingham, England on July 5.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 28 Apr. 2025
State law enforcement agencies wanting to participate in the program must enter into memorandums of agreement with ICE, according to the act, before participating in the program.
—Michelle Watson, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
Drake is always willing to pull out his acting chops when necessary.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 29 Apr. 2025
In a separate April 24 letter, 58 members of Congress demanded the labor board's acting general counsel, William Cowen, answer a number of questions including how DOGE officials got approval for the labor board access, what information was taken and why certain controls were disabled.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
-
The Department of Transportation proposes adding a traffic signal to the intersection and dedicated turn lanes from First Avenue onto Atlanta Street in Gravette.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The authors suggest this tolerance let Deinosuchus thrive in coastal habitats that hosted large prey, in turn growing to enormous proportions.—
Sara Hashemi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Born in the Philippines before moving to New York City as a child, Caliente also had a recurring role on the Ryan Murphy FX drama series Pose as Veronica, and appeared on other TV shows like Broad City and Search Party.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2025
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Back in 2020, Wallen was disinvited from SNL for breaking the show's COVID-19 quarantine protocols the same year he was arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The state's Senate approved the proposal, which is modeled after Arizona’s law, on April 1.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Colorado’s vehicle traction law already requires commercial vehicle drivers to use chains or other traction devices when winter conditions make roads slick.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But because of the way Tony Gilroy has structured each season as a quartet of three-hour arcs, the release schedule makes sense, giving viewers a chance to gobble up each segment of the larger story in one go, rather than spreading the whole thing out over many months(*).—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
23 Apr. 2025
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Today, the firm manages multiple impact funds, focusing on things like affordable housing for families and investing in sustainable materials and social enterprises.—
Andi Cross,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Still, Ordine thinks most wagering on the conclave is likely to happen informally among friends, similar to the squares people play for the Super Bowl.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
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Photo: Michael Roberts/Maconochie Photography There’s a lot to play for, this coming Monday, in conceptualizing a look that celebrates the message.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
3 May 2025
Verb
-
Trading Warren and some other top prospects for Alcántara could work, but what next?—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Thematically, the fractured friendship works well in a story that is so much about the joys of friendship and the pain of a camaraderie betrayed.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Later, while Williams was in prison for a different crime, a man who had shared a cell with him wrote a letter to the district attorney, saying Williams seemed very interested in the DNA testing that had been done in the case.—
Gina Barton,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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Instead, the government-wide effort to slash jobs and the freezing of work related to climate change seems to have combined to push employees out the door.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
The country’s struggling economy is heavily reliant on trade, as the U.S. serves as its most important trading partner.—
Sophie Kiderlin,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The Justice Department asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to allow President Trump to enforce his ban on transgender troops serving openly in the military.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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