Synonyms of action

action

noun

ˈak-shən 

1

as in thing

something done by someone

judge people by their actions, not by their words

Synonyms & Similar Words

• thing
• act
• doing
• deed
• achievement
• feat
• accomplishment
• experience
• activity
• exploit
• adventure
• initiative
• performance
• attainment
• work
• undertaking
• proceeding
• enterprise
• operation
• move
• procedure
• stunt
• tactic
• maneuver
• step
• dealing
• trick
• handiwork
• emprise
• measure
• coaction

2

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

• plot
• story
• story line
• development
• plan
• arc
• subject
• theme
• design
• scheme
• outline
• subplot
• argument
• mythos

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

• lawsuit
• proceeding
• suit
• complaint
• litigation
• cause
• case
• counterclaim
• cross action
• cross-claim
• countersuit

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

• field
• attack
• combat
• fire
• hostilities
• battle
• operations
• warfare
• firefight
• duty
• service
• pitched battle
• single combat

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• behavior
• conduct
• presence
• address
• deportment
• demeanor
• comportment
• bearing
• geste
• attitude
• posture
• practice
• habit
• manners
• pose
• pattern
• form
• mode
• aspect
• etiquette
• characteristic
• carriage
• air
• rules
• decorum
• style
• proprieties
• look
• poise
• protocol
• civility
• politeness
• convention
• mores
• custom
• courtesy
• trait
• attribute
• formality
• fashion
• affectation
• amenity
• mien
• trick
• singularity
• uniqueness
• peculiarity
• wont
• weirdness
• distinctiveness
• habitude
• strangeness
• p's and q's
• oddity
• mark

6

as in ambition

readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity

the wilderness was tamed by men and women of action

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ambition
• initiative
• drive
• enterprise
• aggressiveness
• spirit
• go
• hustle
• vigor
• energy
• grit
• gumption
• spunk
• starch
• pluck
• assertiveness
• killer instinct
• pep
• self-reliance
• vitality
• snap
• ambitiousness
• overambitiousness
• hardihood

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inertia
• passivity
• inactivity
• hesitation
• reluctance
• timidity
• diffidence
• lethargy
• laziness
• faintheartedness
• indolence

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of action

The chance of rescuing the legend whose equipment provides around a quarter of the world’s electricity and whose engines power about three-quarters of commercial flights worldwide clearly stirred the ultra-competitive Culp to action. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 July 2026

After some action hero heroics, Stuart, Bert, Denise and Raj get to the device and Raj is seconds from fixing it when he is shot dead in the back by Kripke, determined to protect his reign. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 23 July 2026

Dozens of police officers, many of them recent recruits, were eventually disciplined for actions related to police corruption, and many were convicted of crimes related to stealing drugs from traffickers. — Meg Anderson, NPR, 23 July 2026

In the brief, the attorneys general contend that allowing the administration’s actions to stand would jeopardize research, medical innovation and workforce development across the country. — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026

Phrases Containing action

• action figure
• piece of the action