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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 Despite calls from some of Texas’ most powerful Republicans, French will likely stay in office if action isn’t taken locally, according to Calvin Jillson, a political science professor at SMU. Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2025 One of Netflix’s big movie plays for July is the sequel to its very silly but very fun action fantasy film The Old Guard. Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025 So yes, action thriller elements or not, this is a Kurosawa movie through and through. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 July 2025 The Kremlin said both leaders condemned Israel's actions, describing them as violations of international law. Amanda Castro shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for action
Recent Examples of Synonyms for action
Noun
  • The downside is that each method has a potential reaction from the AGI or ASI that could turn things ugly.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Meanwhile…things haven’t looked so good for Starbucks in China recently, and not just because its baristas can’t spell names in Chinese characters, either.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • The number of politically motivated attacks and plots against government agents in just the past five years is three times higher than those in the previous 25 years combined, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
    Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The family at the heart of the story run a tourism business allowing Cappadocia to feature in a way that naturally chimes with the narrative, but the connection between landscape and plot runs far deeper, series director Murat Saraçoğlu says.
    Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • For decades, private individuals and groups have brought most of the lawsuits focused on enforcing Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
    Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 28 June 2025
  • Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was added Friday to a lawsuit against his former employer, the University of Michigan, and a former assistant football coach accused of hacking into computer systems to acquire photos of college athletes.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • In 2018, the sunken vessel was discovered in Bitter End’s mooring field and carefully resurfaced.
    Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2025
  • As an example, IMGs make up 40% of residents in internal medicine, a primary care field with a focus on preventing chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
    Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • At Bock Realty Group, trust is built in the small, consistent behaviors that often go unnoticed: celebrating wins, checking in without being asked, and showing up with steady care.
    Alain Hunkins, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The intense exchange between Kemp, 48, and Rock, 25, took place early Tuesday (July 1) morning, with Rock allegedly calling the social media personality to seemingly address Kemp’s remarks regarding her behavior and parenting of her son with rapper Blueface, who is currently incarcerated.
    Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Now back in her hometown of Chicago, the MIT prodigy and armor-building genius is chasing her ambitions — while also getting entangled with the mysterious Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos), a.k.a.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • The bet is a next leg of L’Oréal’s increasing ambitions in the beauty-tech space, fueled by efforts to bring forth tech innovations that are accessible and solve solutions for everyday consumers.
    Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Forty-two years after that, Titus captured and destroyed the city of Jerusalem; that act avenged the murder of Christ.
    Mary Jo Bang July 9, Literary Hub, 9 July 2025
  • The Canadian metal juggernauts will be joined by progressive metal stalwarts Periphery and rising alt-pop act Honey Revenge for the 19-date run, which kicks off Nov. 12 in Ontario, California, and wraps up Dec. 7 in Wallingford, Connecticut.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • For beautiful views of the Tennessee River and Wilson Dam, head to this greenspace with a scenic 1.3-mile trail along the waterfront with interpretive displays sharing stories about Florence’s history.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 5 July 2025
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
    Nicholas Rice, People.com, 5 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Action.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/action. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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