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 These were actions of mayhem and destruction and must be severely punished. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 June 2026 While Producers United is not currently taking action to unionize, the organization hasn’t ruled it out. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 17 June 2026 Sibley and Marik each opposed the internal medicine board's actions. ABC News, 17 June 2026 The term refers to connecting over a common goal or action. Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for action
Recent Examples of Synonyms for action
Noun
  • Like all things data center, this one comes with controversy.
    David Wade, CBS News, 18 June 2026
  • The great thing about Taylor is that my girl knows how to write a song.
    Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • The plot was foiled when a suspect’s mother alerted police, court documents said.
    Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 20 June 2026
  • And the plot thickens… as it was buried, interestingly, in a former Roman military settlement, and typically, these were buried in locations infused with the supernatural.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • But a federal appeals court reversed that decision, ruling the Voting Rights Act can only be enforced by the federal government and not through lawsuits brought by individual voters or groups.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 21 June 2026
  • The San Diego Chapter of the Sierra Club joined the lawsuit last month.
    Katie King, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
Noun
  • That might be a tall order on the field after Lionel Messi’s record-tying hat trick against Algeria led Argentina to victory on Tuesday.
    The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2026
  • Pepi, Antonee Robinson and Malik Tillman formed a triangle on one side of the field, with Balogun, Weston McKennie and Sergiño Dest aligned on the other side.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • Authorities said that in the days leading up to her disappearance, Moore exhibited behavior that was out of character, including a sudden absence and an abrupt change in social media presence, according to ABC News.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
  • One attack ad mocked Ossoff for playful college-era behavior.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • The president’s reported ambition to build military bases in Greenland could also move forward under the terms of the existing 1951 Greenland Defense Agreement, signed 10 years after the US military first came to the territory following Germany’s invasion of Denmark.
    Joshua Hunt, Vanity Fair, 17 June 2026
  • Protesters blocked copper exports from a huge Rio Tinto mine in Mongolia on Wednesday, partially cutting off the supply of a mineral vital to China’s renewable energy ambitions.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • For Executive Chef Gary Caldwell, crafting this menu is an act of preservation.
    La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 20 June 2026
  • But the Royals produced an avalanche of offense, with every starter getting into the act.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.
    Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 20 June 2026
  • This is a developing story and will be updated.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 20 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Action.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/action. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.

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