act

1 a performance regularly presented by an individual or group in his nightclub act he impersonates a veritable galaxy of movie stars Synonyms of act bit, number, routine, shtick (also schtick or shtik), turn Words Related to act 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 of act masquerade, airs, charade, disguise, facade (also façade), front, guise, playacting, pose, pretense (or pretence), put-on, semblance, showWords Related to act 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 of act 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 of act law, bill, constitution, enactment, ordinance, statuteWords Related to act 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 of act 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 of act action, deed, doing, exploit, feat, thingWords Related to act 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 of act do, impersonate, interpret, perform, play, portray Words Related to act 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 of act operate, perform, take, work Words Related to act behave, react, respond; affect, influence, sway; pan out, redound, result Phrases take effect, take hold Near Antonyms of act backfire; fizzle

3 to give the impression of being always acting helpless, just to get attention Synonyms of act seem, appear, come across (as), come off (as), feel, look, make, soundWords Related to act 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 of act function, perform, serve, workWords Related to act 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 of act feign, affect, assume, bluff, counterfeit, dissemble, fake, pass (for), pretend, profess, put on, sham, simulateWords Related to act 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 of act impersonate, masquerade (as), personate, play, pose (as)Words Related to act ape, copy, imitate, mime, mimic, mock, monkey, parody, travesty; perform, portray