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
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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
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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
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 Stunson, USA Today, 29 May 2026
An Austrian court has convicted a man who was charged last year in connection with a plot to commit an act of mass terror at a Taylor Swift Eras Tour show in Vienna in August 2024, the Associated Press reports.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 30 May 2026
But soldiers who spoke to AP and Breaking the Silence — the whistleblower group that has collected troops’ testimonies throughout the war — say that at times soldiers were too far away, acting too quickly and under too much pressure to tell.
—Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
Only a few performers remain from the list of nine acts announced for the Freedom 250 festival, which celebrates the 250th birthday of the United States.
—Mike Stunson, USA Today, 29 May 2026
An Austrian court has convicted a man who was charged last year in connection with a plot to commit an act of mass terror at a Taylor Swift Eras Tour show in Vienna in August 2024, the Associated Press reports.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
Verb
Cooper agrees, noting that your brain’s perception of safety acts like a thermostat.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 30 May 2026
But soldiers who spoke to AP and Breaking the Silence — the whistleblower group that has collected troops’ testimonies throughout the war — say that at times soldiers were too far away, acting too quickly and under too much pressure to tell.
—Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
-
Throughout the testing period, participants recorded how their skin looked and felt, then rated each cream across key factors, including texture, absorption, overnight hydration, and compatibility with existing routines.—
Jenny Berg,
InStyle,
4 June 2026
-
This adaptation explains why the hourlong train ride to work can start out as exhausting, but become part of your daily routine.—
Christian B. Miller,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
On a year-to-date basis, the rupee has fallen by more than 6%, LSEG data shows.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
-
The show is still using some of those songs, giving the score’s relationship to the script a half-in, half-out near-jukebox feeling.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
The complaint alleges the defendants failed to manufacture, supply and serve food safe for human consumption and violated federal food safety laws and USDA performance standards governing ground beef.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
Observers link these conflicts to Abiy’s push away from Ethiopia’s longstanding system of ethnic federalism, which had allowed diverse regional states to draft their own laws and maintain local armies.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
How about the little things, like the mini bar, or shower goodies?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
Instead of trying to calm things down, Dolan escalated the situation.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Sometimes there would be groups of young men along the sidewalks by the entrance to the pool, playing a game with coins thrown against a wall.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
More screen time is given over to her burgeoning friendship with firebrand suffragette Mary, played by singer Lily Allen in a deliberately anachronistic performance — her forthright speech and manner beamed in directly from the 21st century.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The walk-off home run came after the bullpen of the Twins (27-31) had worked four scoreless innings, taking over after a four-inning start from Taj Bradley.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
30 May 2026
-
Ciber ’s team work quickly under netting to mount a huge Browning heavy machine gun onto tank tracks.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Verb
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The reason is that investors don’t seem to like the idea of fractional share ownership, so reducing the share price makes the stock feel more accessible.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
New York seems to be heeding that advice early on.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The complaint alleges the defendants failed to manufacture, supply and serve food safe for human consumption and violated federal food safety laws and USDA performance standards governing ground beef.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
Goins said the turnout Saturday reflected a sense of unity and hoped the protest would serve as a path forward for change and empowering communities of color, especially.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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