1
2
as in shows
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
was putting on an act when she said she didn't mind being left out of the outing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in laws
a rule of conduct or action laid down by a governing authority and especially a legislature
the Americans with Disabilities Act requires public buildings to have wheelchair access
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in things
something done by someone
it's acts such as this—lying about having to work late—that make me feel like I can't trust you
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in plays
to present a portrayal or performance of
a local student acted the part of Tiny Tim in our theater company's production of A Christmas Carol
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in seems
to give the impression of being
always acting helpless, just to get attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in functions
to have a certain purpose
the tail feathers of woodpeckers act as props while the birds excavate tree trunks for insects
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in pretends
to present a false appearance of
if you act confident long enough, you'll begin to actually feel it
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in mocks
to pretend to be (what one is not) in appearance or behavior
someone who is willing to act the helpless little thing when she wants attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of acts
Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The two acts drew a crowd of about 13,000 to the former Xcel Energy Center in August 2023.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2026
Bikini Kill had a much lower profile in 1995 than the even the mid-range acts on the tour.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
Each city features unique opening acts, with Robyn joining the six Amsterdam performances, Shania Twain appearing at all six London shows, Fcukers opening both São Paulo dates, Jorja Smith at the Mexico City performance, and Jamie xx performing at every New York show.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 26 Jan. 2026
Both acts have been touring in Connecticut since the 1970s.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
The metacognitive state vector acts as the conductor’s awareness, constantly monitoring whether the orchestra is in harmony, whether someone is out of tune, or whether a particularly difficult passage requires extra attention.
—Ricky J. Sethi, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
More acts are expected to be announced soon.
—Deasia Paige, AJC.com, 26 Jan. 2026
That led the 2025 event to take place at Blackbox Theater and The Pine, with more than 17 musical acts, food trucks, vendors and more spread across the two sites.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 13 Jan. 2026
Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 3 Feb. 2026
The host acts as dead weight, occupying space without contributing any heat-storage capacity, ultimately diluting the material’s overall efficiency.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Feb. 2026
The land trust acts as a homeowners association and will collect a fee from the homebuyers that’s escrowed into their mortgage to maintain the land and trails in the neighborhood along with a set of rules homeowners have to follow, Hicks said.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026
Milwaukee acts Chicken Wire Empire and The SLP and DJs Vinyl Department and DJ Lukewarm will perform.
—Piet Levy, jsonline.com, 2 Feb. 2026
He’s worked with blues artists, anime composers, chart acts like Billy Squier, the New York Dolls, pioneering glam diva Suzi Quatro and hundreds of other artists including his brother and longtime collaborator John Conte.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2026
When to Remove Snow From Your Plants Snow acts as an insulator, holding in warmth and moisture to protect the roots of trees, shrubs, bulbs, and perennials.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 31 Jan. 2026
And Thwaites acts as a cork in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, which contains enough water to raise sea levels by nearly 17 feet.
—Christian Elliott, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
Such items hold value, and under Michigan's Unclaimed Property Act, the department acts as a holder until the owner or heir makes a claim.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
In between acts, there was a dance intermission featuring background dancers, including a solo female dancer performing a contemporary piece, before the stage opened to a full dance performance.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The two acts drew a crowd of about 13,000 to the former Xcel Energy Center in August 2023.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2026
Bikini Kill had a much lower profile in 1995 than the even the mid-range acts on the tour.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
Each city features unique opening acts, with Robyn joining the six Amsterdam performances, Shania Twain appearing at all six London shows, Fcukers opening both São Paulo dates, Jorja Smith at the Mexico City performance, and Jamie xx performing at every New York show.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 26 Jan. 2026
Both acts have been touring in Connecticut since the 1970s.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
The metacognitive state vector acts as the conductor’s awareness, constantly monitoring whether the orchestra is in harmony, whether someone is out of tune, or whether a particularly difficult passage requires extra attention.
—Ricky J. Sethi, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
More acts are expected to be announced soon.
—Deasia Paige, AJC.com, 26 Jan. 2026
That led the 2025 event to take place at Blackbox Theater and The Pine, with more than 17 musical acts, food trucks, vendors and more spread across the two sites.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
The amber hue of the beaded chokers acts as a neutral color against the lapis-blue top, emulating a similar warmth to the yellow-gold pendant to tie the accessories together.
—Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 3 Feb. 2026
The host acts as dead weight, occupying space without contributing any heat-storage capacity, ultimately diluting the material’s overall efficiency.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Feb. 2026
The land trust acts as a homeowners association and will collect a fee from the homebuyers that’s escrowed into their mortgage to maintain the land and trails in the neighborhood along with a set of rules homeowners have to follow, Hicks said.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026
Milwaukee acts Chicken Wire Empire and The SLP and DJs Vinyl Department and DJ Lukewarm will perform.
—Piet Levy, jsonline.com, 2 Feb. 2026
He’s worked with blues artists, anime composers, chart acts like Billy Squier, the New York Dolls, pioneering glam diva Suzi Quatro and hundreds of other artists including his brother and longtime collaborator John Conte.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2026
When to Remove Snow From Your Plants Snow acts as an insulator, holding in warmth and moisture to protect the roots of trees, shrubs, bulbs, and perennials.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 31 Jan. 2026
And Thwaites acts as a cork in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, which contains enough water to raise sea levels by nearly 17 feet.
—Christian Elliott, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
Such items hold value, and under Michigan's Unclaimed Property Act, the department acts as a holder until the owner or heir makes a claim.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acts
Noun
-
Gemini May 21 – June 20 When emotions shift, routines need flexibility.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
-
May 21 – June 20 When emotions shift, routines need flexibility.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some of Waller’s clients already attend the shows on their own accord.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Brian McCollum The latest batch of metro Detroit concerts includes a host of shows going on sale this week.—
BRIAN MCCOLLUM,
Freep.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While that is the standard that would be considered in a civil case, local investigators are also looking into whether any state laws were violated.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
This happens because of several factors, including changes in tax laws, annual IRS inflation adjustments and more.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Indeed, the homogenization of taste, caused in part by streaming platforms, social media feeds and online algorithms, means that people – even VICs, for all their wealth – often want the same things.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Missouri Automobile Dealers Association CEO Doug Smith said the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the move to online car shopping and pushed dealers to offer home delivery of vehicles and other perks aimed at making things faster and easier for consumers.—
Summer Ballentine,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The mother of three also revealed that her daughter, Princess Charlotte, isn’t officially involved in rugby, but joins in when the family plays together at home.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
-
In the production, Hayes plays Elliott, a writer grappling with creative paralysis who retreats to a remote cabin, only to find the line between imagination and reality dangerously blurred.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Throughout the novel, Nikki works tirelessly to prove herself amongst industry male figureheads who don’t value her voice, personhood, and brilliance, while managing pressure from a boss who isn't her advocate and navigating challenging colleagues steeped in misogyny and who are power-hungry.—
Dominique Fluker,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
But that’s not how state terror works.—
M. Gessen,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This seems odd but ripening fruit releases small amounts of ethylene gas which can reduce the longevity of the arrangement.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Feb. 2026
-
And in that choice, there is politics – even when the song seems to speak only of love, partying, or heartbreak.—
Rocio Munoz,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Yet the system now functions differently—not through rupture but through recalibration.—
Alejandro Reyes,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
-
This season also functions as the farewell tour for Formula E’s Gen 3 EVO car, which will give way to the 50% more powerful Gen 4 car next year.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acts. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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