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
Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
If there were a Five-Timers Club for musical acts, White would already be a member.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Born in Louisiana in 1959, Freeman took an unconventional path to acting.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
Now committed to the moon, the Artemis II test flight is the opening act for NASA’s grand plans for a moon base and sustained lunar living.
—Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
If there were a Five-Timers Club for musical acts, White would already be a member.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
The lack of action by Gee, a President Obama appointee, has surprised some legal observers, especially given the swiftness with which judges in other districts have acted.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Born in Louisiana in 1959, Freeman took an unconventional path to acting.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
-
Motivated Mars activates your 6th House of Well-being as of today, motivating you to reconfigure routines and direct your formidable focus toward the tasks that truly count.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Yet increasingly, grooms and partners of all genders are also participating in pre-wedding body modification—whether through weight loss, cosmetic treatments, or elaborate grooming routines.—
Sara Radin,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Swift's first time at the awards show in three years was a celebratory one.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Hungarians living near the southern frontier, where Orbán made a show of building a border fence during the refugee crisis, are travelling to Croatia to buy cheap groceries.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Critics, however, said the new law undermines democratic principles by replacing electoral legitimacy with presidential appointment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
One dichotomy that’s set up in the book is between the language of poetry and the language of law.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Several teammates alluded to his ability to keep things loose in the bullpen.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Your 3rd House of Debate surges as fiery Mars arrives, pushing you to say the important thing plainly — and to move on it soon.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Police said it was believed the driver initiated the right turn and hit the bicyclist, a 69-year-old man from Joliet, believed to have been traveling eastbound on the sidewalk on the south side of West Jefferson Street and had entered the roadway to cross Springfield Avenue.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
West of the stadium, a slow conga line of cars entered off the LeJeune Road service road, sometimes after making an extra lap around Miami International Airport after missing the right- hand turn.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The case also ties to an earlier incident on March 24, when police say Alexander approached a woman under the pretense of asking for directions while engaging in indecent behavior.—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Maybe the pretense was comforting to him, too.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The bill would have protected girls’ right to safe, fair competition, while allowing for a coeducational category as an appropriate avenue for transgender participation.—
Lisa Frizell,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
-
OpenAI publicly opposed the bill but in private began issuing threats.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Either way, this decisive energy favors clear asks and tangible action over chasing perfect conditions.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
For associations, unit owners will know what to expect in actions seeking to remove a director, and courts could become more involved in governance disputes involving dysfunctional boards, developer transitions, or allegations of financial mismanagement.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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