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
Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 26 June 2025
For your downtime Going out Music: Blue Note LA reveals opening calendar of acts including Robert Glasper, Charlie Puth and Killer Mike.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025
Recent federal policy directives are strengthening our ability to act.
—Mark Michalek, Denver Post, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
By the end of the second act of the episode, Francie and Sugar make up their differences.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 26 June 2025
For your downtime Going out Music: Blue Note LA reveals opening calendar of acts including Robert Glasper, Charlie Puth and Killer Mike.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
Verb
Take advantage of savings on this popular sleeping pad that’ll add some coziness to your tent, as well as this two-in-one camping lantern that also acts as a fan.
—Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025
Recent federal policy directives are strengthening our ability to act.
—Mark Michalek, Denver Post, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
-
This is particularly true as Pinterest transforms its large global user base into shopping-centric experiences, which, in turn, increases advertiser spending and affiliate commerce revenue.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
Ada, in turn, suddenly came into a great deal of money thanks to her husband, Reverend Luke Forte (Robert Sean Leonard).—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
There might've been a little fear getting three of us back onto a set that is a big monster show.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
-
Under Meadow’s stewardship, MTC has produced over 600 world, American, New York and Broadway premieres, including 61 shows at its Broadway home, now named the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
James Gabbert/Getty Images The Context Texas law allows people with a license to conceal carry a gun and to possess that gun on college campuses.—
Sophie Clark
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
-
Florida law outlines sweeping powers available in a state of emergency, including the governor’s ability to use and deploy all available county and local resources.—
Skyler Swisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
Miranda is so full of possibility and adventure and what’s going to come next, and Ada is trying so hard to be that way and to fill the deep well of her sadness and her loneliness and her bereavement with things like the Temperance movement.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
23 June 2025
-
Every week, Bee would send out the readings for the next class, which were often how-to guides for things like makeup and hair, lip syncing, song memorizing, and choreography.—
David Mack,
Rolling Stone,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
By off-loading routine and repetitive tasks from processors, actuaries and agents, GenAI can create space for insurance professionals to develop innovative policy structures.—
Greg Pavlik,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
-
To keep the plant vibrant, incorporate a fertilizer into your watering routine.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Theft by false pretense: Someone contacted a Saratoga resident claiming to work for Kaiser Hospital and the Chinese police.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
17 June 2025
-
Tiron Alexander, 35, was convicted by a federal jury of wire fraud and entering a secure area of an airport by false pretenses on June 5, according to a press release by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.—
Pilar Arias,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
Hard-liners dominate the Parliament and could pass a bill with that aim.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
25 June 2025
-
The text obtained by The Hill only pertains to Bureau of Land Management lands, complying with Lee’s promise to ax provisions in his original bill that would have also included National Forests.—
Rachel Frazin,
The Hill,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
As Mars enters your sign on June 17, your thoughts and actions both become laser-focused.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
-
His relentless focus on enforcement actions, in addition to tighter disclosure rules on a range of corporate issues like climate change, added to the burden—and cost—of being public.—
Christopher Perkins,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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