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
Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
No Doubt will be the first female-fronted act to perform at Sphere.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
Michael Loria, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
Deadline sat down with Crook and Isles to talk about their predictions for Small Prophets, the state of British comedy drama and whether Crook will return to film acting.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
The final act in particular is a frenzy of anger.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
No Doubt will be the first female-fronted act to perform at Sphere.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
Locals believe agents are adding Mexican flags to cars to act as a decoy.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
Deadline sat down with Crook and Isles to talk about their predictions for Small Prophets, the state of British comedy drama and whether Crook will return to film acting.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
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Murray, in turn, was asked to be a two-way player in ways that were not necessarily originally expected for the young prospect with a deft shooting touch.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The study showed that the robot could make multiple turns exceeding 100 degrees along its body length when activated.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Cross Prime Video, leader of all dad-TV shows, released a trailer for Cross season two.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The finale also left both pairs of the show's central lovers in the midst of cliffhangers.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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To the extent permitted by applicable law, all judgments or awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket damages (excluding attorneys’ fees) associated with participation in this Promotion and shall not include any indirect, punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
13 Oct. 2025
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Colorado law defines stalking, in part, as when a person knowingly and repeatedly follows, approaches, contacts or communicates with another person in a way that causes that person serious emotional distress.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Here's where things actually start to get confusing.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
-
But things change the next morning when all of the clans light burning crosses in a call to action to join the Jacobite rebellion — a call that Brian must answer or face being labeled a traitor.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Trump played a role of his own in applying pressure.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
11 Oct. 2025
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Pratt plays Detective Chris Raven, a man who programmed an artificial intelligence called Mercy, which Los Angeles courts are using to determine guilt.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Staff at The Free Press are eager to start working with CBS News; reporter Olivia Reingold appeared on CBS News Friday morning to discuss her report that anonymous NYPD officers had been threatening to quit the force if Zohran Mamdani is elected New York City mayor.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
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Sometimes, Gatlin would also approve invoices from Georgia companies, which would have been unusual given that Jackson Health System and the Foundation usually work with South Florida vendors.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The African American History building was closed for unclear reasons (that seemed to me ominous), but the John Brown Museum right across the street had compelling displays about Brown’s attack and its aftermath.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
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First ladies and other women close to male power seemed likeliest to break through.—
Jane Kamensky,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Upon his return to Monaco, Wenden served as Chief of Staff and International Affairs Advisor to the President of the Conseil National de Monaco and Chargé de Mission to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Government of Monaco, between 2007 and 2013.—
Olivier Wenden,
Fortune,
14 Oct. 2025
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Every member of the CDC’s Washington office, which serves as a conduit between the agency’s Atlanta headquarters and Capitol Hill, was fired; barring a second round of reversals, that office appears to be closed.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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