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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of act
Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 1 May 2026
The acts he's recorded include an Amish man who played steel guitar with his son's band, a musician who drove for hours from Missouri and an Amish band from Ohio.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
Grout is crucial for acting as a seal that keeps the tiles glued together and the structure in tact.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
Neos would also algorithmically predict and respond to everything from citizens’ changing meal preferences to criminal acts.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 1 May 2026
The acts he's recorded include an Amish man who played steel guitar with his son's band, a musician who drove for hours from Missouri and an Amish band from Ohio.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Verb
It is based on the belief that the priest acts in the person of Christ who was male.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
Grout is crucial for acting as a seal that keeps the tiles glued together and the structure in tact.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
-
Her son receives special services for a disability at Lake Center Elementary, and home routines are harder without this support.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
During the last decade, Parker’s routine has fostered one of the country’s most compelling new music scenes, where players from diverse backgrounds and demographics have converged to create wildly accessible improvised music.—
Grayson Haver Currin,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While discussing the delicate tone of the show and its balance of being a satire on the Hollywood movie business and a love letter to chasing your dream, Cretton said the creative team focused on character to find their way.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
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The entire show can be seen on Billboard’s YouTube channel, below.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This case is an example of what the accountability law was designed to do, and not necessarily a sign that POST is taking a tougher stance on police shootings, according to Meagan Poulos, an agency spokesperson.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
However, the information provided was inaccurate and did not align with county election law.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Game 5 showed two things at once.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Rubbing the compost against the screen with a gloved hand will help things along.—
Jessica Damiano,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That was the game Towns played.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Mia Arguelles, who typically plays midfielder, filled in at goalkeeper due to injuries and made two saves for Andrew (7-6-1, 3-2).—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In Florida, most art students go on to work for Disney World; Carly’s Chateau is a theme park scaled to the domestic.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
Amid Paul and Mortensen's ongoing legal battle, the fifth season of Mormon Wives temporarily halted production in March after several cast members refused to work with Paul, sources told PEOPLE at the time.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
For major criminals, the city seemed to offer not only impunity but also sunshine, an easy life style, and safety.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Step-backs, deep 3s, power drives, trips to the line – every element of their games was on display, and every possession seemed to raise the stakes.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Santa Fe burrito is a genuine pleasure—more restrained, built on a smaller scale, with green chile doing the complex, vegetal, low-burning work that other versions might leave to salsa—though, again, the tortilla serves its contents, rather than the hosannas going the other way.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
-
The Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who is currently serving an 18-year prison sentence in Iran, has been hospitalized in critical condition after collapsing and losing consciousness in jail.—
Anastasia Tsioulcas,
NPR,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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