1
2
as in show
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 law
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
4
as in thing
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 to play
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
4
5
as in to pretend
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 to mock
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 act
Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 27 Mar. 2026
At the same time, energy acts like a tax on households.
—Paulina Likos,zev Fima, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
The March 28 event drew off Boise’s marquee music festival, borrowing people, energy and acts from Treefort.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
The Atlanta trio opens a three-act bill at the EARL on April 24.
—Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 27 Mar. 2026
At the same time, energy acts like a tax on households.
—Paulina Likos,zev Fima, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
With game time temperatures expected to be int 40s Saturday and warmer every day afterwards on the road trip, the Rangers chose to act with an abundance of caution to avoid any lingering issues.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
The March 28 event drew off Boise’s marquee music festival, borrowing people, energy and acts from Treefort.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
-
This will help improve the overall effectiveness, since your skin can better absorb the product (the same goes for all of the other formulas in your routine).—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The ten-part series will see Wahlberg putting some of the world’s biggest digital creators through his famous workout routine at his home gym while also holding candid conversations.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Swift was photographed solo on the red carpet and with a group of iHeartRadio execs before the show at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Fan Fest continues through the weekend, with a drone show and music festival planned for Friday.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Through a request under a Kentucky open-records law, KFF Health News obtained an informed consent form for the AL16 study used at a public institution, the University of Louisville.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Martha’s father, a law professor, had trained her to be a rational, step-by-step arguer.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
People have guns as a hobby, as a social thing.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Katie Schoeberl, Welniak’s cousin, made her mark as a volleyball player at Marist, but before that, was a pitcher for the Beverly Bandits and taught Welniak a few things about the sport.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Last season, Johnson played in 17 games, including eight starts, after All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson missed time with a Lisfranc injury.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Coach Charles Lee only had to play LaMelo Ball for an efficient 23 minutes, and Ball finished with 20 points and eight assists.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Uber and Rivian didn’t disclose how the new driverless vehicles will work, including having their own app or as a special request on the existing Uber app.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The bond works like a mortgage or home loan, according to the ISD website.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the voters surveyed didn’t seem to see either party as the solution.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The outbreak seems to have occurred in people, including students from two universities, who attended a nightclub in early March.—
Kathleen Felton,
Washington Post,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
These horses assist with crowd control, search and rescues, and serve as ambassadors to the community.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Tiffanie Burkhalter, who has served as chief financial officer since 2023, also took on the title of president, the company said.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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