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
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
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
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
as in to be (to)
to behave toward in a stated way
I would never act toward my boss that way
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of act
Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 28 Apr. 2025
State law enforcement agencies wanting to participate in the program must enter into memorandums of agreement with ICE, according to the act, before participating in the program.
—Michelle Watson, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025
Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 29 Apr. 2025
In a separate April 24 letter, 58 members of Congress demanded the labor board's acting general counsel, William Cowen, answer a number of questions including how DOGE officials got approval for the labor board access, what information was taken and why certain controls were disabled.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
Keenan and his Tool bandmates are one of the many acts scheduled to appear at the Back to the Beginning concert, which takes place in Birmingham, England on July 5.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 28 Apr. 2025
State law enforcement agencies wanting to participate in the program must enter into memorandums of agreement with ICE, according to the act, before participating in the program.
—Michelle Watson, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
Drake is always willing to pull out his acting chops when necessary.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 29 Apr. 2025
In a separate April 24 letter, 58 members of Congress demanded the labor board's acting general counsel, William Cowen, answer a number of questions including how DOGE officials got approval for the labor board access, what information was taken and why certain controls were disabled.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
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The authors suggest this tolerance let Deinosuchus thrive in coastal habitats that hosted large prey, in turn growing to enormous proportions.—
Sara Hashemi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
24 Apr. 2025
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Global overreliance on the dollar has resulted in currency distortions, a devaluation of U.S. labor and products and an entrenchment of trade deficits, which in turn fuel further demand for dollars, Stephen Miran, chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, argued earlier this month.—
Tobias Burns,
The Hill,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Guardian newspaper reports that the former Doctor Who star – who appeared in the 2005 film adaptation of Rowling’s book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – gave his opinion of Rowling in answer to questions posed by a group of neurodivergent young adults in ITV’s show The Assembly.—
Caroline Frost,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2025
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Interest in the case has swept the country since then, spurring an array of true crime podcasts, movies, television shows and a host of supporters for both Read and O’Keefe.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The state's Senate approved the proposal, which is modeled after Arizona’s law, on April 1.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
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Prosecution: Autism doesn’t prevent death penalty in any state Arguments that other states, such as Ohio and Kentucky, expanded their laws to bar people with serious mental illness from facing the death penalty don’t apply, Hippler said.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Today, the firm manages multiple impact funds, focusing on things like affordable housing for families and investing in sustainable materials and social enterprises.—
Andi Cross,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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Of course, a visually stunning and perfectly functioning restroom has many things happening behind the scenes that aren’t always obvious at first glance.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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How to Clean to Remove Allergens When pollen counts are high, a new (and more frequent) cleaning routine can help ensure your home remains a safe haven.—
Katelyn Squiers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2025
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Every little element of his pre-race routine and preparations with his trainer, Aleix Casanovas, is getting more refined.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Moore befriended Shakespeare in 2008 under the pretense of writing a book about him, but the project never materialized.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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What To Know According to court documents reviewed by NewsNation, Piccolo is accused of driving up to a woman in Manatee County, stopping his vehicle under the pretense of asking for directions and then exposing himself.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Also still pending this year is a measure to memorialize Jan. 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida and a bill that would require the state insurance plan to cover supplemental examinations, such as an MRI or ultrasound, when mammograms indicate questionable findings.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2025
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More: Could a GOP bill prevent some married women from voting?—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Cavaliers played Herro aggressively, denying him the ball and working to keep him out of the Heat’s offensive actions.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2025
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In an attempt to give Antetokounmpo another option, Kuzma cut into the paint, but that action just ran him into Turner and clogged the floor.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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