as in interim
serving in a position for the time being
will serve as acting president of the university until a permanent replacement can be found
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in playing
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
as in working
to produce a desired effect
the painkiller acted surprisingly quickly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in seeming
to give the impression of being
always acting helpless, just to get attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in serving
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 pretending
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 mocking
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 acting
Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025
Corey Feldman And Jenna Johnson Corey Feldman rose to fame through his childhood acting career, starring in beloved classics like Stand By Me, The Goonies, The Lost Boys, and the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2025
Aside from his cameo on Fuller House, Ewing's most recent acting credit was in 2017's A Very Sordid Wedding, the sequel to the cult hit Sordid Lives starring the late Olivia Newton-John.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025
This will be a coordinated effort with the Government Accountability Office, which is also looking into issues involving access and handling of sensitive data at the department, according to the letter from the acting inspector general.
—Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acting
Adjective
Zimmer said most of her previous acting and directing was with Patio Playhouse in Escondido and as part of the Off the Cuff improv group.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025
Corey Feldman And Jenna Johnson Corey Feldman rose to fame through his childhood acting career, starring in beloved classics like Stand By Me, The Goonies, The Lost Boys, and the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
The project is nominated for three Emmys, including best comedy series and acting nods for Bell and Brody.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2025
Aside from his cameo on Fuller House, Ewing's most recent acting credit was in 2017's A Very Sordid Wedding, the sequel to the cult hit Sordid Lives starring the late Olivia Newton-John.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
Dazzled by his older brother’s newfound status as a media sensation, Sheen decided to try acting, too, and was immediately enchanted by the cinematic qualities of being a celebrity.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025
This will be a coordinated effort with the Government Accountability Office, which is also looking into issues involving access and handling of sensitive data at the department, according to the letter from the acting inspector general.
—Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acting
Adjective
-
Under the new Fish and Wildlife interim pintail harvest strategy, hunters in all four flyways are expected to have a three-pintail daily bag limit option for next year's 2026–'27 season based on this year's breeding population results.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Market Basket, the popular grocery store chain embroiled in a family feud, has named a new interim CEO.—
Joe Dwinell,
Boston Herald,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Yet, Ruud just kept right on playing good defense — racing around Laver Cup’s black hardcourt — and somehow managing to return serves that reached 130 mph.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
20 Sep. 2025
-
He is tied with shortstop and outfielder Bill Russell (1969-1986) and Hall of Fame left fielder Zack Wheat (1909-1926) for the most years playing for the Dodgers in franchise history.—
Wayne G. McDonnell,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Despite the setback, Richardson has been focused on working hard and preparing himself for his next opportunity.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Employers who provide health insurance benefits for the bulk of working-age Americans might choose to enact restrictions.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Volcanic-seeming black rock lines a catacomblike stairway, punctuated by a single glass window framing a lone Calder.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Some resign themselves to it; others try, with seeming desperation, to stay relevant or, worse, edgy.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Greenfield's departure will therefore be considered a significant moment for Ben & Jerry's, while also serving as a symbol of the clash between corporate governance and brand activism.—
Hugh Cameron
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Getty Images Rec, a technology company serving the parks and recreation industry, has raised $11 million in a Series A funding round in which several former and current professional athletes participated.—
Tim Casey,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
These issues are very real and generally speaking there are very few, if any, magic combinations of settings to cure these problems for many players, and pretending like that’s true is either disingenuous or misinformed.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Scrolling on one’s phone can be a deadening experience, but here’s someone feeling, or at least pretending to feel, a genuine feeling—even if the abundance of these videos surely numbs us further.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Your husband overreacted and disrespected you, slapping food and mocking you.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Since Kirk's assassination, many people, including teachers, pilots and health care workers have been fired or disciplined for posting hateful, celebratory or mocking social media messages about his death.—
Ashley Hume , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Kayton Bell, Westmoreland High Just a freshman, Kayton has been marching and performing with the high school bands since eighth grade and is always on task and comes prepared for rehearsal.—
Andy Humbles,
Nashville Tennessean,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Tigers, which toured the country performing with the animals.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acting. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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