1
2
as in shows
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 laws
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 things
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 plays
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
as in seems
to give the impression of being
always acting helpless, just to get attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in functions
to have a certain purpose
the tail feathers of woodpeckers act as props while the birds excavate tree trunks for insects
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in pretends
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 mocks
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 acts
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025
Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Cocker, Outkast, Salt-N-Pepa, Soundgarden, The White Stripes, Warren Zevon and several other musical acts have officially been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
In light of the uptick in threats and seemingly random acts of violence on HBCU campuses, many schools have opted to increase security in an effort to keep students safe.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
That's especially true in the Southeast, where there’s no shortage of uniquely thrilling opening acts from Chief Osceola and his flaming spear at Florida State to the eagle’s pre-game lap around Jordan Hare Stadium at Auburn.
—Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
Outkast, Soundgarden, the White Stripes, Cyndi Lauper, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, and Bad Company are the seven acts who will be inducted into the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
Such language has been blamed for turning up the political temperature over the last several years, creating an environment where political violence is increasingly accepted, supported, and engaged in — resulting in the murder of conservative icon Charlie Kirk, among other acts of violence.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 Nov. 2025
There are also numerous acts looking to win a Grammy for the first time or the first time in a long time.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2025
But some acts were shut out of the competition altogether, while others' inclusions came as a surprise.
—Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
In areas with heavy winter snowpacks, the snow acts as a great insulator, protecting the underground portions of the plant.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Nov. 2025
The third episode acts as a point of no return, of sorts.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 9 Nov. 2025
For fall mulching, the best choice is a lightweight organic mulch that acts like a down jacket to trap pockets of air to keep ground temperatures warmer but also allows moisture to penetrate the soil.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
At police District Two, where Corder worked, there’s a memorial to him that acts as a daily reminder for those officers.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
In 1905, organizers added a horse show, and by the 1920s, the livestock show included rodeo and vaudeville acts as well as industrial exhibitions.
—Patrick Salland, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
The fiber in carrots acts as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial gut bacteria.
—Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 7 Nov. 2025
The entry point NoRobot acts as the first stage of infection.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
And the Hall of Fame is now starting to take in acts like the White Stripes who broke after the turn of the millennium.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025
Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Cocker, Outkast, Salt-N-Pepa, Soundgarden, The White Stripes, Warren Zevon and several other musical acts have officially been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
In light of the uptick in threats and seemingly random acts of violence on HBCU campuses, many schools have opted to increase security in an effort to keep students safe.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
That's especially true in the Southeast, where there’s no shortage of uniquely thrilling opening acts from Chief Osceola and his flaming spear at Florida State to the eagle’s pre-game lap around Jordan Hare Stadium at Auburn.
—Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
Outkast, Soundgarden, the White Stripes, Cyndi Lauper, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, and Bad Company are the seven acts who will be inducted into the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
Such language has been blamed for turning up the political temperature over the last several years, creating an environment where political violence is increasingly accepted, supported, and engaged in — resulting in the murder of conservative icon Charlie Kirk, among other acts of violence.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 Nov. 2025
There are also numerous acts looking to win a Grammy for the first time or the first time in a long time.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2025
But some acts were shut out of the competition altogether, while others' inclusions came as a surprise.
—Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
Even his handling of deportations—another key part of his election platform—has a 52 percent disapproval rating, as Americans grapple with an ICE force that eschews state regulations, ignores due process rights and acts like the president’s personal army.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
In areas with heavy winter snowpacks, the snow acts as a great insulator, protecting the underground portions of the plant.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Nov. 2025
The third episode acts as a point of no return, of sorts.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 9 Nov. 2025
For fall mulching, the best choice is a lightweight organic mulch that acts like a down jacket to trap pockets of air to keep ground temperatures warmer but also allows moisture to penetrate the soil.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
At police District Two, where Corder worked, there’s a memorial to him that acts as a daily reminder for those officers.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
In 1905, organizers added a horse show, and by the 1920s, the livestock show included rodeo and vaudeville acts as well as industrial exhibitions.
—Patrick Salland, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
The fiber in carrots acts as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial gut bacteria.
—Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 7 Nov. 2025
The entry point NoRobot acts as the first stage of infection.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acts
Noun
-
From supporting overall wellness to preventing nutrient deficiencies, taking supplements is a cornerstone in many people’s health routines.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
10 Nov. 2025
-
As women start to progress through this period, their wellness routines might need modification to adequately manage symptoms and reflect the changing needs of their bodies.—
Olivia Lee,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Chicago O’Hare, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International, Denver International and Dallas-Fort Worth also experienced dozens of cancellations and hundreds of delays, FlightAware data shows.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
What’s that been like and how have the shows been going?—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The cemetery of good but dead laws is infinite; the main thing is that social forces exist.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
On the one hand, consumer protection laws are a hallmark of the region.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Those on nine-month contracts must devote 480 hours to instruction — which can include things like lab work, clinical work and internships in addition to lecture time — over the course of the contract.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Because, in waking life, the truth is that things haven’t been the same since the strain of raising two young kids started to wear on their parents.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The military plays only an advisory role in the American system, giving input to the president’s deliberations but not otherwise independently adjudicating whether his or her decision is wise.—
Peter D. Feaver,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
-
Ahead of Sunday’s premiere, Randolph and actress Ali Larter, who plays Ainsley’s mother on the show, spoke to the Star-Telegram about the Norris family dynamic going into season 2.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The fundraiser benefits Hamilton's CARES Foundation, an organization that works with cancer research centers and emphasizes finding cures that prevent long-term harm to patients.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The chip that works this optical magic is not much to see.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
No one knows what the future has in store, but Swinney seems likely to be back at Clemson when the 2026 college football season arrives.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Doku, who seems like a classic ‘confidence player’, seemed to appreciate it and looked genuinely delighted to be named man of the match, too.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The 34-year-old democratic socialist is poised to take control of a 306,000-person municipal workforce in the global center of capitalism that also functions as a cultural hub that dictates trends around the world.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The multipurpose space currently functions as a gym, but could also be used as a spa or additional entertaining area.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acts. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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