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
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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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of act
Nick Duffy, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
The shows also include the charming Kaitlin Butts as the opening act on three of the nights, with Cole Goodwin, Owen Riegling and Mountain Grass Unit kicking things off on the other shows.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
Once connected, the landline acts just like your cellphone.
—Jennifer Liu
valentina Duarte, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
Any such move would require an act of Parliament, a lengthy and politically uncertain process that would also likely have to be approved by other Commonwealth countries, such as Canada and Australia, where the British monarch is the head of state.
—Nick Duffy, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
The shows also include the charming Kaitlin Butts as the opening act on three of the nights, with Cole Goodwin, Owen Riegling and Mountain Grass Unit kicking things off on the other shows.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
Winter sports appear to flow naturally from the landscapes that act as their settings.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
Once connected, the landline acts just like your cellphone.
—Jennifer Liu
valentina Duarte, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
-
The best way to keep your shower mold-free is to stick to a weekly cleaning routine that consists of wiping down the surface with cleaners and wiping the shower dry after each use.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The Loneliest Man is much more observational, following Cook through the creeping day-to-day routine of transforming his existence.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Figure skating is like a pageant wrapped in a game show with a little bit of reality show thrown in.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Earlier in the show, Chioma tells Choe how British Vogue’s Gisele Pelicot digital cover story came to be.—
Chelsea Daniel,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The bank would only speak hypothetically about when the bank closes accounts and its reasons for closing accounts, citing bank privacy laws.—
Ken Sweet,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
-
One new state law enacted in 2024 set requirements for oil and gas companies to plug certain percentages of their idle wells each year — between 5% and 15% each year at first, but larger shares after 2027.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Trump, he's done things, and then he's continued on with his speech, and then continued on to meet with world leaders.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Charlestown then responded with a 9-0 run of their own to tie things up at 11.—
Mukala Kabongo,
Boston Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And then, two weeks after the Bulls made the painful turn toward prioritizing the draft, the league decided to crack down on tanking.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
-
One of those stuck in gridlock, driving an SUV-type truck, floored his vehicle and flew out of his place in line and made a left turn.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Call it polish without pretense.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
This is not an e-bike; there are no pedals and, interestingly, no pretense of a bicycle categorization to blur regulatory lines.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Multiple bills in Indiana’s legislative session address rising electric utility charges.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
-
That shopping cart law went into effect in August, but so far enforcement by county officials and compliance among retailers has been lax, according to County Council Member Wanika Fisher, who proposed the bill.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
With the city facing multiple lawsuits over the billing debacle, Clark helped oversee a friendly class-action lawsuit against the city, the judge found.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The Aztecs are also now 15-1 in Mountain West action.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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