act

1 a performance regularly presented by an individual or group in his nightclub act he impersonates a veritable galaxy of movie stars Synonyms bit, number, routine, shtick (also schtick or shtik), turn Related Words signature

2 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 masquerade, airs, charade, disguise, facade (also façade), front, guise, playacting, pose, pretense (or pretence), put-on, semblance, showRelated Words impersonation, performance, portrayal; image, persona; appearance, color, gloss; camouflage, cloak; affectation, deceit, deception, dissembling, dissimulation, double-dealing, duplicity, fakery, fraud, guile; betrayal, double cross, faithlessness, falseness, falsity, infidelity, perfidy, treachery, treason, unfaithfulness; excuse, pretextNear Antonyms bluntness, candidness, candor, directness, forthrightness, frankness, openheartedness, outspokenness, plainspokenness, sincerity, straightforwardness; artlessness, genuineness, naïveté (also naivete or naiveté)

3 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 law, bill, constitution, enactment, ordinance, statuteRelated Words command, commandment, decree, dictate, directive, edict, fiat, ruling; bylaw, ground rule, regulation, rule; amendment, legislation; common law, martial law; blue law; prohibition, proscription, restriction; canon, capitulary, encyclicalNear Antonyms higher law

4 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 action, deed, doing, exploit, feat, thingRelated Words accomplishment, achievement, attainment; adventure, experience; emprise, enterprise, initiative, undertaking; handiwork, performance, work; stunt, trick; activity, dealing; maneuver, measure, move, operation, procedure, proceeding, step, tactic; coaction

1 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 do, impersonate, interpret, perform, play, portray Related Words depict, dramatize, render, represent; act out, enact, pantomime, playact, role-play, take on; overact, overplay, underplay; ape, clown, ham, imitate, masquerade, mime, mimic, pose (as); star (in); coact, costar

2 to produce a desired effect the painkiller acted surprisingly quickly Synonyms operate, perform, take, work Related Words behave, react, respond; affect, influence, sway; pan out, redound, result Phrases take effect, take hold Near Antonyms backfire; fizzle

3 to give the impression of being always acting helpless, just to get attention Synonyms seem, appear, come across (as), come off (as), feel, look, make, soundRelated Words dissemble, pretend; recall, resemble, suggest; hint, imply, insinuate

4 to have a certain purpose the tail feathers of woodpeckers act as props while the birds excavate tree trunks for insects Synonyms function, perform, serve, workRelated Words operate, run; administer, carry on, control, direct, guide, handle, manage, oversee, regulate, supervise

5 to present a false appearance of if you act confidence long enough, you'll begin to actually feel it Synonyms feign, affect, assume, bluff, counterfeit, dissemble, fake, pass (for), pretend, profess, put on, sham, simulateRelated Words dissimulate, impersonate, let on, masquerade, play, playact, pose; forge, imitate; camouflage, conceal, disguise, mask; feint; malinger

6 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 impersonate, masquerade (as), personate, play, pose (as)Related Words ape, copy, imitate, mime, mimic, mock, monkey, parody, travesty; perform, portray