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
Jenny Adams, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
European officials have also been warning about other hybrid threats and suspect Moscow was behind a string of incidents, including the sabotage of an undersea cable, cyberattacks, GPS jamming of civil aviation, and even acts of arson.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
However, Mason said, sometimes hate speech can ultimately lead to acts of violence.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Any employer in a joint-employer relationship can be deemed liable for an unfair labor practice or other unlawful acts.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Police arrested three people Thursday on suspicion of the preparation or commission of acts of terrorism.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
For all intents and purposes, Charli and Swift were on great terms in 2018 when Swift announced Charli and Camila Cabello would be the opening acts on the Reputation Stadium Tour.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
Back in 2018, Charli was one of the opening acts for Swift on the Reputation Stadium Tour.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Also known as epicuticular wax or blossom, bloom acts like a protective barrier, keeping grapes firm and fresh.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025
Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
Restraint and classic elements can go a long way in avoiding a bathroom that acts like a roll call of the decade’s best (or worst) trends.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Hydrogen, produced from renewables, acts as a seasonal storage medium, capable of holding energy for months before being reconverted through fuel cells or turbines.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025
Clutter acts like visual noise, distracting your brain and leaving you feeling scattered.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
But Godfread explains there's still an opportunity to give consumers the subsidized rates if Congress acts quickly.
—Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
But the helicase acts like a brake, causing the molecule to go through with a ratcheting motion, one base at a time, at a still-lively rate of about 400 bases per second.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025
Not in the way that a good night’s rest can fix, but in the way that comes from years of running at full speed while everyone around you acts like that’s just what you’re supposed to do.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 2 Oct. 2025
In a mouse study, maple syrup improved the gut microbiome (the community of microorganisms in the digestive tract) and acts similarly to prebiotics, which help the good bacteria in your gut flourish.
—Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
These clubs began hiring brass musicians, and top acts included the Olympia Brass Band, Eureka Brass and the Young Tuxedo Brass.
—Jenny Adams, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
European officials have also been warning about other hybrid threats and suspect Moscow was behind a string of incidents, including the sabotage of an undersea cable, cyberattacks, GPS jamming of civil aviation, and even acts of arson.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
However, Mason said, sometimes hate speech can ultimately lead to acts of violence.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Any employer in a joint-employer relationship can be deemed liable for an unfair labor practice or other unlawful acts.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Police arrested three people Thursday on suspicion of the preparation or commission of acts of terrorism.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
For all intents and purposes, Charli and Swift were on great terms in 2018 when Swift announced Charli and Camila Cabello would be the opening acts on the Reputation Stadium Tour.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
Back in 2018, Charli was one of the opening acts for Swift on the Reputation Stadium Tour.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Also known as epicuticular wax or blossom, bloom acts like a protective barrier, keeping grapes firm and fresh.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
When Swift acts in a way that is seemingly out of character, audiences feel cheated.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
Restraint and classic elements can go a long way in avoiding a bathroom that acts like a roll call of the decade’s best (or worst) trends.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Hydrogen, produced from renewables, acts as a seasonal storage medium, capable of holding energy for months before being reconverted through fuel cells or turbines.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025
Clutter acts like visual noise, distracting your brain and leaving you feeling scattered.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
But Godfread explains there's still an opportunity to give consumers the subsidized rates if Congress acts quickly.
—Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
But the helicase acts like a brake, causing the molecule to go through with a ratcheting motion, one base at a time, at a still-lively rate of about 400 bases per second.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025
Not in the way that a good night’s rest can fix, but in the way that comes from years of running at full speed while everyone around you acts like that’s just what you’re supposed to do.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 2 Oct. 2025
In a mouse study, maple syrup improved the gut microbiome (the community of microorganisms in the digestive tract) and acts similarly to prebiotics, which help the good bacteria in your gut flourish.
—Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acts
Noun
-
Yet most power plants served by those mines plan to quit burning coal altogether within 10 years, an Associated Press data analysis shows.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Then came Wallows musician Dylan Minnette and Mean Girls star Renée Rapp at back-to-back Los Angeles shows.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
More than 20 states have restricted the practice through laws – including some that were backed by Republican governors.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Under a pending agreement with ICE, the Guard's role enforcing immigration laws could expand to providing additional military personnel to be trained by ICE and deputized into assisting with policing immigration.—
Juan Cordoba,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Kershaw may be in slightly new surroundings, but some things don’t change.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
4 Oct. 2025
-
For more on the Dallas Cowboys and all things NFL, head over to Newsweek Sports.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Fans of the stage show know the second act is a pivotal moment for Fiyero and, by extension, the man who plays him.—
Olivia-Anne Cleary,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
-
And Kirsten Dunst plays Leigh Wainscott, the Charlotte mom Manchester dated while hiding out off Independence Boulevard.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Smart nutrition management all through the season always works better than trying to achieve stunning results with last minute fertilizer fixes.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Holding his hand helps calm him down (a magic touch that works well with real kids, too).—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As long as everyone stays healthy, this group seems like the safest bet to be the Mavericks’ starting lineup on opening night.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
If this premiere is any indicator, Keiarna is going to have to sharpen her digs a bit so that Wendy doesn’t get to easily dismiss or minimize what clearly seems to be a passive-aggressive or condescending subtext in their dynamic.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That has contributed to a complete supply chain ecosystem that functions efficiently, a trait required in the manufacturing of semiconductors.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
-
One of its most recent iterations, the Supersonic Nural, comes outfitted with a groundbreaking Wave + Curl hair diffuser that functions two ways.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The label is applied when a teen pretends or forces himself to present in this way just to win the romantic attention of the young women around him.—
Ashleigh N. DeLuca,
Parents,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The lies begin as soon as Max encounters Guillermo, an arrogant nepo baby who blamed him for Ane’s death but now pretends to accept his apology.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acts. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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