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
Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The show is divided into two acts, one that presents the father’s side of the relationship, and the other, the son’s.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
To date, Long's only acting credits include short films, including Valley Mentality!
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
The deputy attorney general also clarified that while the act allowed the department to withhold items necessary to keep secret the interests of national security or foreign policy, none were blocked on that basis.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The show is divided into two acts, one that presents the father’s side of the relationship, and the other, the son’s.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez on Friday announced an amnesty bill that could lead to the release of hundreds of prisoners, including opposition leaders, journalists and human rights activists detained for political reasons.
—Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
To date, Long's only acting credits include short films, including Valley Mentality!
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
-
Mon Lumière offers a smart alternative to complicated routines and costly in-office treatments, delivering an easy system that supports both preventive and corrective care with comfort and consistency.—
William Jones
January 29,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
-
His brand, Wizard Wellness, launches Thursday on its website with sinus rinses, nasal sprays, nasal sticks and oral strips, plus bundles around routines with each.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Paris Couture Week, which the American designer’s Monday morning show kicked off, is for fantasy.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The company confirmed to Vogue Business that Saks Global will have representation during fashion month to attend shows and place buys.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The move comes as nine local district attorneys launched a coalition this week to assist in prosecuting federal law enforcement officers who violate state laws.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The documents were disclosed as mandated by a law requiring the government to open its files on the late financier and his confidant and onetime girlfriend, Maxwell.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The updates mark Google’s push toward an agentic web, where browsers do more than display pages and instead help users get things done faster.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
-
These are the signature Big Think dialogues that slow things down, ditch the script, and reveal how great minds actually think.—
Daphne Koller,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Normal People is a devastating series in the mold of classical Hollywood melodramas, outfitted with a superb cast that elevates the material at every turn.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The complex of industrial structures grew steadily, with several expansions between the turn of the last century and 1955.—
Paula Allen,
San Antonio Express-News,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Federal officials have declared ICE’s killings lawful and justified over social media without any pretense of a formal review, making statements that are cruel, derogatory, misleading, or simply false.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Investigators say Wilson approached her under the pretense of needing directions.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That hard-line stance came as some House Democrats voiced opposition to the stopgap funding for DHS, which was a compromise granted by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in order to scrap the original bill funding the agency.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Last summer, when Wiener brought forward a second bill, some companies, including OpenAI, still sought alternatives, but others, such as Anthropic, went so far as to formally endorse it, and Newsom signed it.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The idea arose when, as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Western artists began to write and create art about the preconditions and reasons behind Russia’s actions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Canada's actions denied American Olympian Katie Uhlaender a chance to earn enough points to qualify for the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Games.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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