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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of acts
Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 23 Feb. 2026
The annual idobi Radio Summer School Tour, which spotlights emerging pop punk and indie acts, is hitting the road again for its third year, kicking off in Southern California.
—Charlie Vargas, Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026
Dijon and Aimee Mann are among the acts, as well as an artist winkingly billed as Bon Dylan—no news yet on what that performance will entail.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 23 Feb. 2026
In Monday's news conference, García Harfuch said 70 people were detained in connection with these types of violent acts.
—Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 23 Feb. 2026
Though best known for drug trafficking, the group was involved in a variety of black market operations and enforced its claims through exaggerated and provocative acts of violence.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
Though cold weather doesn’t have a direct impact on joints, Travis adds, it’s been shown to lead to thickening of the synovial fluid, which lubricates your joints and acts as a shock absorber.
—Alyssa Ages, Outside, 22 Feb. 2026
The wine is made at Arkenstone, which produces its own wine and acts as a custom crush facility for smaller producers under the watchful eye of Kaplan, who works with grapes from many vineyards throughout Napa Valley.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 22 Feb. 2026
Enriched with squalane, urea, and ceramides, this barrier-protecting formula acts as a protective shield, while keeping my skin ultra-hydrated.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 16 Feb. 2026
Santa Ana College, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
The platform acts as an intelligence layer that stitches together disparate systems and data within an organization.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
South Florida’s extensive canal system essentially acts like a highway network for a semi-aquatic reptile, experts say.
—Sergio Candido, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
In the early chapters, Annie acts as a reality check to Vernice’s optimism and offers insight into the darker aspects of the town.
—Tembe Denton-Hurst, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2026
The series — dubbed BottleRock AfterDark — features such regular BottleRock festival acts as LCD Soundsystem, Rilo Kiley, Chevy Metal and Larkin Poe, among many others.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
South Florida's extensive canal system essentially acts like a highway network for a semi-aquatic reptile, experts say.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
Pros and Cons of Snow on Your Lawn You have probably heard that snow acts as a sort of mulch or fertilizer for the winter.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 23 Feb. 2026
Ray Charles, whose touring pianist would teach Prince music in middle school, influenced the Valdons and many other Black R&B acts.
—Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
Denizens on the southside of Atlanta will be able to take in a wide variety of concert acts at the Fred Amphitheater this spring and summer covering multiple decades and genres.
—Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 23 Feb. 2026
The annual idobi Radio Summer School Tour, which spotlights emerging pop punk and indie acts, is hitting the road again for its third year, kicking off in Southern California.
—Charlie Vargas, Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026
Dijon and Aimee Mann are among the acts, as well as an artist winkingly billed as Bon Dylan—no news yet on what that performance will entail.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 23 Feb. 2026
In Monday's news conference, García Harfuch said 70 people were detained in connection with these types of violent acts.
—Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 23 Feb. 2026
Though best known for drug trafficking, the group was involved in a variety of black market operations and enforced its claims through exaggerated and provocative acts of violence.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
Though cold weather doesn’t have a direct impact on joints, Travis adds, it’s been shown to lead to thickening of the synovial fluid, which lubricates your joints and acts as a shock absorber.
—Alyssa Ages, Outside, 22 Feb. 2026
The wine is made at Arkenstone, which produces its own wine and acts as a custom crush facility for smaller producers under the watchful eye of Kaplan, who works with grapes from many vineyards throughout Napa Valley.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 22 Feb. 2026
Enriched with squalane, urea, and ceramides, this barrier-protecting formula acts as a protective shield, while keeping my skin ultra-hydrated.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
Student input essential As student trustee, Lopez serves as the official student representative on the district’s Board of Trustees and acts as a bridge between students and district governance.
—Santa Ana College, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
The platform acts as an intelligence layer that stitches together disparate systems and data within an organization.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
South Florida’s extensive canal system essentially acts like a highway network for a semi-aquatic reptile, experts say.
—Sergio Candido, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
In the early chapters, Annie acts as a reality check to Vernice’s optimism and offers insight into the darker aspects of the town.
—Tembe Denton-Hurst, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2026
The series — dubbed BottleRock AfterDark — features such regular BottleRock festival acts as LCD Soundsystem, Rilo Kiley, Chevy Metal and Larkin Poe, among many others.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
South Florida's extensive canal system essentially acts like a highway network for a semi-aquatic reptile, experts say.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
Pros and Cons of Snow on Your Lawn You have probably heard that snow acts as a sort of mulch or fertilizer for the winter.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 23 Feb. 2026
Ray Charles, whose touring pianist would teach Prince music in middle school, influenced the Valdons and many other Black R&B acts.
—Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acts
Noun
-
That’s why guys have superstitions and routines.—
Haley Smilow,
Mercury News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
People picked up their brushes (or beauty blenders) and followed their favorite creator's routines step-by-step or used their work as inspiration to perfect the craft.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Founded in the 16th century, the Royal Stables are best known for breeding the royal breed of the Andalucían horse, the best of which are showcased in regular breathtaking shows.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
-
After arriving on Netflix and Peacock, the flagship show unexpectedly broke streaming records and topped Nielsen's streaming charts for months on end in the midst of the Hollywood writers' and actors' strikes essentially halting production and postproduction on new shows.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Tim Roberts, president of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, said the case highlights the problems with creating retrospective laws – in this case, one to protect children who are being grilled by police.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The law eliminated two decades-old laws − the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) − that reduced Social Security benefits for a portion of retirees who received pension income.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Until these two things occur, basic accountability and justice will remain out of reach.—
Amy Wallace,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Dakota Johnson plays a young dancer who finds herself in a German company run by witches, including Tilda Swinton as the austere Madame Blanc.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Why Baking Temperature Matters Baking temperature plays a big role in the way cookies spread, brown, and set in the oven.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Her husband also works for the two-person business as its chief political strategist.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Nothing that works today to hit the Russians will work next month.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Yustyna has Pavlo’s light blue eyes and seems to have taken after him in her calmness.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Lisa from Blackpink), this footwear trend seems poisted to hold strong as spring-summer 2026 approaches.—
Héloïse Salessy,
Glamour,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At that point, an HSA used for non-medical expenses essentially functions like a traditional IRA.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The way the San Dieguito board typically functions is to review new policies over a two-month time frame, with a first and second reading.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acts. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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