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
Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 31 Oct. 2025
Poukine is fascinated by survival as a slow act of self-rediscovery.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Kelly Evans, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
That changed in May 2024, when Arden and her partner moved into a new house and noticed Fern acting strangely.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
Originally, Coach Schneider’s (Marshall Bell) gruesome death after a night out at an S&M bar was going to happen at the end of the second act.
—Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 31 Oct. 2025
Poukine is fascinated by survival as a slow act of self-rediscovery.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
And for all the excitement around AI, this market is in fact acting more old-school, following a pattern that was more common in the 1950s through the 1990s, Kantrowitz notes.
—Kelly Evans, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
That changed in May 2024, when Arden and her partner moved into a new house and noticed Fern acting strangely.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
-
A lot of disturbing things happened in The Exorcist — Regan MacNeil's 360 neck turn remains one of the most diabolical things to happen on film — and for its innovations, the 1973 movie scored 10 Oscar nominations.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The United States, in turn, would make major concessions on critical technologies and, perhaps, geopolitics.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Those wanting to stream the show live can do so with a Peacock premium subscription or stream new episodes the next day with a basic Peacock subscription.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The pregame show has room to improve.—
Andrew Marchand,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Under state law, countywide petitions must be signed by 15% of those who voted for the office of circuit clerk in the most recent general election.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Detroit Mercy Law to review shipwreck's legal impact The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law will host a special law review symposium on the Fitzgerald shipwreck's 50th anniversary addressing the legal aspect of fatal shipwrecks.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Displacing 80,000 tons, the Fujian is the closest thing afloat to the US Navy’s 97,000-ton Nimitz-class carriers, which make up 10 of the 11 carriers in the US fleet.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
-
But things just weren't right with her.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Pascal and Bad Bunny played the lothario's hot brothers.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Nov. 2025
-
The Heat entered Tuesday’s matchup against the Hornets having outscored opponents by a total of 46 points in the 29 minutes that the bench quartet of Fontecchio, Jaquez, Jovic and Smith played together through the first three games of the season.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In Galaxy Mapper, author Allie Summers and illustrator Sian James introduce readers to French astrophysicist Hélène Courtois, a working scientist who studies cosmography, or mapping the observable universe.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Researchers have developed a new algorithm that can help multiple drones work together to control and transport heavy payloads.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Turning to Hjulmand as his replacement seemed almost a conciliatory gesture.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
While Wall Street seems to live and die on the slightest hints about the Federal Reserve’s rate stance, Chair Jerome Powell doesn’t think the tech giants behind the AI boom will be swayed by incremental moves in monetary policy.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
MacKenzie-Childs Tartan Red Rattan Party Serving Tray With this darling MacKenzie-Childs serving tray, you’re bound to be the hostess with the mostess come the holiday season.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Xi’s predecessor Jiang Zemin, who served as president between 1993 and 2003, was known for his flamboyant personality, cosmopolitan flair and willingness to show off his language skills and interact with journalists.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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