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
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
Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 1 May 2026
The acts he's recorded include an Amish man who played steel guitar with his son's band, a musician who drove for hours from Missouri and an Amish band from Ohio.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
Grout is crucial for acting as a seal that keeps the tiles glued together and the structure in tact.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
Neos would also algorithmically predict and respond to everything from citizens’ changing meal preferences to criminal acts.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 1 May 2026
The acts he's recorded include an Amish man who played steel guitar with his son's band, a musician who drove for hours from Missouri and an Amish band from Ohio.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Verb
It is based on the belief that the priest acts in the person of Christ who was male.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
Grout is crucial for acting as a seal that keeps the tiles glued together and the structure in tact.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
-
Her son receives special services for a disability at Lake Center Elementary, and home routines are harder without this support.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
During the last decade, Parker’s routine has fostered one of the country’s most compelling new music scenes, where players from diverse backgrounds and demographics have converged to create wildly accessible improvised music.—
Grayson Haver Currin,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While discussing the delicate tone of the show and its balance of being a satire on the Hollywood movie business and a love letter to chasing your dream, Cretton said the creative team focused on character to find their way.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The entire show can be seen on Billboard’s YouTube channel, below.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This case is an example of what the accountability law was designed to do, and not necessarily a sign that POST is taking a tougher stance on police shootings, according to Meagan Poulos, an agency spokesperson.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
However, the information provided was inaccurate and did not align with county election law.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Game 5 showed two things at once.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Rubbing the compost against the screen with a gloved hand will help things along.—
Jessica Damiano,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Local communities, in turn, operate the monitoring stations and get fees in return.—
Natalie Sum Yue Chung,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
-
Whaffle, in turn, showed me the account of Parker Edmondson (@pman817), a twenty-five-year-old in North Texas who lives circa 1920.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
On the day of Lincoln’s election, the Wide Awakes patrolled polling places under the pretense of protecting democracy, while opponents viewed it as voter intimidation.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Authorities said the gun had been purchased under false pretenses in Indiana.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Goldman Sachs concurs, saying the drag will offset the benefits from that tax bill the White House had championed.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
-
The House advanced the bill codifying the peeper’s status, House Bill 5534, this week by a vote of 136-0.—
Theo Peck-Suzuki,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Dakota Sweeney, a cousin of Wilson, the Bravo reality TV star, lived with the victim and was booked on suspicion of first-degree murder and armed criminal action, the Missouri Highway Patrol said in an affidavit.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The Americans exported violence in the form of counterterrorism and police trainings to as many as eighty-five countries, from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia to Niger to the Philippines, as well as blueprints for dubious legal frameworks to justify their actions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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