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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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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
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as in to pretend
to present a false appearance of
if you act confident long enough, you'll begin to actually feel it
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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
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Examples of act in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 11 Oct. 2024
In the 225 years since it was passed, only two people have ever been indicted under the act, one in 1802 and one in 1851, and none have been convicted.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 10 Oct. 2024
Justin Worland, TIME, 11 Oct. 2024
In 2023, the Gwinnett County, Georgia, native landed his first acting role on Kenya Barris’ Freeform sitcom Grown-ish after being brought to the attention of the show’s creator by an executive on his team.
—Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for act 
Noun
An alleged bank robbery Authorities are concerned that Phillips is not just hiding the children, but encouraging them to engage in criminal acts.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 11 Oct. 2024
In the 225 years since it was passed, only two people have ever been indicted under the act, one in 1802 and one in 1851, and none have been convicted.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 10 Oct. 2024
Verb
And suppliers—often smaller companies—have fewer reasons to act.
—Justin Worland, TIME, 11 Oct. 2024
In 2023, the Gwinnett County, Georgia, native landed his first acting role on Kenya Barris’ Freeform sitcom Grown-ish after being brought to the attention of the show’s creator by an executive on his team.
—Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for act
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'act.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 21 Oct. 2024.
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