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
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of act
Maya Sweedler, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Kyaw Mya, a citizen of Burma, was convicted of lascivious acts with a child-victim less than 12 years of age.
—Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 21 May 2025
Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 22 May 2025
The fiber in chia seeds also acts as a prebiotic, feeding probiotic bacteria, and may help improve obesity.22
12.
—Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
The shooting comes as Israel has launched another major offensive in the Gaza Strip in a war with Hamas that has heightened tensions across the Middle East and internationally and as antisemitic acts are on the rise.
—Maya Sweedler, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Kyaw Mya, a citizen of Burma, was convicted of lascivious acts with a child-victim less than 12 years of age.
—Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 21 May 2025
Verb
Your bedroom is up here, a large space with a powder room, built-in sofa, desk, and floor-to-ceiling windows that act as picture frames for the sublime mountain backdrop.
—Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 22 May 2025
The fiber in chia seeds also acts as a prebiotic, feeding probiotic bacteria, and may help improve obesity.22
12.
—Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
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This, in turn, leads to mental health issues, such as low mood and negative thinking patterns.—
Trevor Clawson,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
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Lowry then waited beside the swarm of Jets, each embracing Scheifele in turn, each trying to console him at an inconsolable time.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
Noun
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Golden Gate Park, which sits in the city's center and was a magnet for rock and theater performances of all kinds in the '60s, will host three shows by Dead & Company – the name given to what remains of the original band plus current guests – at the park's Polo Fields Aug. 1, 2 and 3.—
Marco della Cava,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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The show, which is set to premiere later this year, will see the kids face the challenges of carrying on the Chrisley name and legacy after their parents were locked up.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Michigan’s no-fault car insurance laws and a high percentage of uninsured drivers make car insurance in this state expensive.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
19 May 2025
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Recently, however, legal scholars, historians, and journalists writing on the Fugitive Slave Law have examined its contemporary influence on, and parallels to, present-day immigration law.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
Instead of approaching them and giving them the opportunity to say mean things to you, consider trying to make friends with other girls -- girls who might like to be friends with you too.—
Mark Mondier,
Arkansas Online,
18 May 2025
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The meteoric growth of Pop Mart speaks to a larger history of Americans being attached to cute things from Asia (remember Hello Kitty?), Anne Cheng, an English professor at Princeton University, told CNN.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
The clip began with Kiser waking up and beginning her routine.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
20 May 2025
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But with most makeup products falling under the 3.4 oz limit, including foundation and concealer, Barratt rarely encounters any difficulties when carrying out her full glam routine.—
Isabelle Rodney,
CNN Money,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
After his arrest, Duffy had faked amnesia and sought asylum in a psychiatric hospital, where doctors prevented the police from interrogating him, but the pretense of the amnesia was exposed at the trial by his ex-wife and a friend.—
Sarah Beckwith,
New Yorker,
26 May 2025
-
May 8 Theft by false pretense: Someone contacted a Saratoga resident, claiming to be a member of the Federal Trade Commission.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Last year legislators passed SB 292 which bans the manufacturing, selling or distributing of products containing PFAs beginning on Jan. 1, 2028, according to the bill’s analysis.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
20 May 2025
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Those rules would take effect in 2029 under the bill passed last week by the Ways and Means Committee.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
19 May 2025
Noun
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The first funerals with caissons will be limited to troops killed in action, recipients of the Medal of Honor or Prisoner of War Medal and high-ranking service members.—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
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After all, the still-young 21st century has seen the deaths in action of more than 7,000 U.S. military service people, mostly in Iraq and Afghanistan.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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