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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

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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 In 2024, days before trial was to begin, the parties reached a landmark settlement in which the state agreed to take concrete actions to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. Alexandra Klass, The Conversation, 2 May 2025 With their ability to both ping enemy squads and veil their allies, the reconnaissance Runners held much higher value in most maps than the ones predicated on moment-to-moment action. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2025 Beyond tariffs, the federal spending cuts have continued, as have deportations and other anti-immigration actions. Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 2 May 2025 Our motivations—both intrinsic and extrinsic—propel us to acquire new skills, build meaningful relationships and progressively assert our autonomy by taking control of our actions. Davide Sartini, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for action
Recent Examples of Synonyms for action
Noun
  • Isaac has done a terrible thing to this person, and that is important to see.
    Adam B. Vary, Variety, 5 May 2025
  • Working on the show is different from a lot of other things, especially in TV.
    Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 5 May 2025
Noun
  • Days after Entertainment Weekly learned that the Scandal star and Onyx Collective are developing a reboot of the classic ABC dramedy, Washington teased plot details for the upcoming project to The View cohosts in response to a question from Ana Navarro.
    Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 2 May 2025
  • Pretending to love the enemy, spurred on by her real love, the romantic plot provides the film’s clever, titillating energy.
    Paul Vidich, People.com, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • The agency will be required to submit a report showing who is being held and who was arrested, along with the reasoning for both, every 60 days until the lawsuit is resolved.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • In 2008, the George W. Bush administration released an edition of the assessment four years late, and only after it was compelled to do so by a lawsuit.
    Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Both teams’ trainers joined EMS to get him onto a cart and off the field.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 4 May 2025
  • Related article Fan in critical condition after accidental fall onto the field at PNC Park during Pirates-Cubs game, police say The 20-year-old Markwood, fell from the right field wall onto the field and was listed in critical condition.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • Prosecutors were aiming to bring their own expert: Dr. James W. Crosby, a retired sheriff’s lieutenant and canine behavior consultant.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • Clinton’s presidency was dogged with accusations of unethical behavior and extramarital affairs.
    Chris Lamb, The Conversation, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • Simply making a full return to the sport that has been her life is the bottom rung of Haidar’s ambitions.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 2 May 2025
  • In a city once known primarily for its architectural ambitions, a new identity has taken shape as an epicenter of global contemporary art.
    Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • Balancing family and business is often framed as an impossible juggling act—one where something always has to give.
    Jon Stojan, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Brought in as a response to 66 fans losing their lives in a crush at Ibrox four years earlier, the act (known as the Green Guide) introduced a compulsory licensing system for grounds in the top two divisions.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • Despite the fallout, Owens remains firm in her belief that Ye’s story has been misrepresented and his mental health unfairly weaponized.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 5 May 2025
  • This story contains details from the season 2 opener of The Walking Dead: Dead City on AMC.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 4 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Action.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/action. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

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