1
as in thing
something done by someone
judge people by their actions, not by their words
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
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
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5
as in behavior
actions plural
the way or manner in which one conducts oneself
observing the actions of mice in various controlled settings helps scientists understand the effects of certain drugs
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6
as in ambition
readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity
the wilderness was tamed by men and women of action
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of action
Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property.
—
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 26 May 2025
The reckless teenager whose actions cost the life of a dear friend?
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 26 May 2025
Three states, Colorado, Maine and Illinois, unsuccessfully attempted to remove Trump from the ballot based on his actions surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
—Ariel Sheinberg, Baltimore Sun, 26 May 2025
Republican legislators and others on the political right slammed the fiscally moderate governor, calling his action the first step down a path that would return Connecticut to the 2010s, an era marked by several state tax hikes.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for action
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 26 May 2025
The reckless teenager whose actions cost the life of a dear friend?
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 26 May 2025
Three states, Colorado, Maine and Illinois, unsuccessfully attempted to remove Trump from the ballot based on his actions surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
—Ariel Sheinberg, Baltimore Sun, 26 May 2025
Republican legislators and others on the political right slammed the fiscally moderate governor, calling his action the first step down a path that would return Connecticut to the 2010s, an era marked by several state tax hikes.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for action
Recent Examples of Synonyms for action
Noun
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There are worse things that can be done to good government than junking Humphrey’s Executor, and Trump is busily engaged in many of them.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
29 May 2025
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And doing that amount of blood coming out of Barry’s neck is a one-take thing.—
Bill Desowitz,
IndieWire,
29 May 2025
Noun
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Sure, the plot’s kind of a mess, but warrior Alice is an empowering turn while Johnny Depp’s Mad Hatter and Helena Bonham Carter’s big-headed Red Queen are splendidly strange.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
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Like the movie’s plot, the Dodgers have concluded that former impact players now over age 30 are expendable and must be immediately eliminated.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2025
Noun
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According to the lawsuit, about a year after Floyd's murder, Sam Willis, the owner of the restaurant Just Turkey, says a shooting victim ran into his business.—
Meg Anderson,
NPR,
23 May 2025
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Harvard launched a lawsuit in retaliation, saying the action was unconstitutional.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
23 May 2025
Noun
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If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Avoid open fields, hill peaks, or ridge tops.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
31 May 2025
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Indeed, its operating income is enviable despite losing regularly on the field and missing out on results bonuses; the brand remains strong, leading to sponsorship interest and making a killing from vending masses of match tickets and merchandise, for instance.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Commissioner Rob Manfred issues his ruling following the completion of the investigation of allegations of improper behavior towards a number of women against former manager and coach Mickey Callaway.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2025
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Take a look at some recent animal encounters: Wildlife photographer captures ‘rare’ behavior in Australia.—
Real-Time news team,
Miami Herald,
25 May 2025
Noun
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That evolution mirrors trends seen in other fragile states where the rule of law has eroded — but with one key difference: Venezuela’s criminal strategy is explicitly transnational, with ambitions that extend far beyond its borders.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2025
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SpaceX kicked off the year with the ambition to launch as many as 25 Starship test flights in 2025, a goal that now seems to be unattainable.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 May 2025
Noun
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The first act unrolls the settings and characters that dominate Mahnaz’s life and work.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
22 May 2025
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In this eerie tale about fear, lust, and female empowerment, the real question becomes whether this is an act of witchcraft—or a witch hunt.—
Shannon Carlin,
Time,
22 May 2025
Noun
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These highlights were written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
31 May 2025
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Golden combines these elements with emotionally complex background stories and rich lore.—
Gabino Iglesias,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Action.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/action. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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