Definition of actionnext
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as in plot
the unfolding of events in a dramatic or literary work the mystery writer displays a sure hand in managing the novel's complicated but never incoherent action

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in lawsuit
a court case for enforcing a right or claim filed an action in county court to recover his lawn mower from his neighbor, who claims he "gave" it to her

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in field
active fighting during the course of a war the battalion saw action soon after it arrived in France

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of action Filing for bankruptcy can trigger an automatic stay that temporarily halts most collection actions, including bank levies and wage garnishments. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 June 2026 Joined by The Ringer’s Chris Ryan and other hosts, the series will premiere on June 10 and run throughout the World Cup, reacting to the tournament action through Friedland’s comedic lens. Arushi Jacob, Variety, 10 June 2026 This rescue shows that autonomous systems are becoming more important in military missions, especially in dangerous areas at sea where quick action is needed. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 June 2026 Iran is all talk and no action. Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for action
Recent Examples of Synonyms for action
Noun
  • The other thing that was really interesting is this weeping sickness that Sugi described in the beginning.
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • That’s when things went south on the Dodgers.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • The latter show features bona fide movie stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Elle Fanning, plus a plot — single mom starts an OnlyFans to make ends meet — that fits right in with the 21st-century trend of comedies that play like dramas.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 June 2026
  • Suffice to say there is a pronounced vibe shift toward the mystical as the plot threads converge.
    Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • On June 8, a federal judge invalidated the White House's $100,000 fee policy in response to a lawsuit brought by 20 states.
    Shanelle Kaul, CBS News, 14 June 2026
  • The administration quickly faced several lawsuits, and the Supreme Court is deciding one of those cases right now.
    Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • At every World Cup game, children between the ages of 6 and 10 will escort players onto the field before kickoff.
    Chelsea Torres, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
  • In 2013, off-the-field issues began to affect his on-field availability.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • Campbell also believes that Sorsby's behavior doesn't rise to the level that would justify such action anyway, telling Dakich that schools have let players with much worse transgressions play.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2026
  • Long-term stress changes the brain, affecting mood, memory, behavior, attention spans and decision-making.
    Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • This Is Where the Serpent Lives is a systems novel about who gets to have ambition in the first place in a country where a person’s caste still determines so much of the course of their lives.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • There was so much energy and enthusiasm and ambition coming out of those gatherings that anyone who got near us was in danger of being repelled by the sheer force of it.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • Jay Clayton alleged at the time that the gang is responsible for countless acts of violence, extortion and drug trafficking in North America, South America and Europe.
    Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
  • There were reckless acts such as climbing on moving and parked vehicles and vandalism like trashing a yellow cab.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Balogun's big night marked a historic moment in one of the more fascinating American soccer stories in USMNT history.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
  • This story has been updated with new information and to add video.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 13 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Action.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/action. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.

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