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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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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
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2025
Signs might include pacing, whining, excessive barking, destructive acts, accidents in the house and excessive salivation, drooling or panting.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025
French Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin emphasized Europe's readiness to act.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
As a kid growing up in Macclesfield, Ellis loved MGMT, Vampire Weekend, Bombay Bicycle Club, and other indie acts.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2025
Signs might include pacing, whining, excessive barking, destructive acts, accidents in the house and excessive salivation, drooling or panting.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Verb
His other acting credits include the Fargo series, the limited series The Offer and the Life in Pieces series.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025
French Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin emphasized Europe's readiness to act.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
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This, in turn, provoked police to wade into the crowd, beating people with nightsticks.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
10 June 2025
-
Four other projects by the band — Animals, The Division Bell, The Early Years – 1965–1972, and Transmissions + 1969 — all managed just a single turn ruling the Official Rock & Metal Albums chart.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Noun
-
The show is inspired by Manning Walker’s high school experience.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
2 June 2025
-
Blanchfield’s management team reported that she will be paid her full show and win money for UFC Vegas 107.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Noun
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Newsom said in a court filing on Thursday that troops had moved beyond those allowable duties to actively assist ICE agents in making arrests, in violation of a federal law known as the Posse Comitatus Act, which is designed to prevent the military from being used as a domestic police force.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2025
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Oyun-Erdene’s supporters say his ouster had three drivers: Firstly, and with a dash of irony, his relentless pursuit of official graft, including a draft law his cabinet just submitted that would compel all public officials to justify their income.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
Real Madrid is closing in on Argentina’s next big thing As reported by various outlets, Real Madrid is closing in on Mastantuono after sending a delegation to Buenos Aires last week.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Sick to death of being poor, Lucy ended things with John.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
Venus enters Pisces on January 1 and should support your productivity levels, encouraging a fresh perspective on your daily routines.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 June 2025
-
Deliberately cultivate moments of awe in your routine, both with and without AI assistance.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
Perhaps Posey will look into that now that the pretense of the campaign has been lost.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
5 June 2025
-
UConn is already closing small classes and programs on the pretense of efficiency, while asking faculty to teach increasingly larger classes.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2025
Noun
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As murder defendant Karen Read rounds the corner on the halfway point of her second trial, the crippling weight of unpaid legal bills could be alleviated by an unlikely source: online crowdfunding.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2025
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The bill passed unanimously out of committee and is presently awaiting further action in the state Senate.—
Steve Weisman,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Noun
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Many of the pro-climate policies enacted, particularly during the Biden era, deliver little in the way of climate benefits (or any benefit for that matter) while making a mockery of the real economic concerns businesses and consumers have about climate action.—
Ashley Nunes,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2025
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Note that bond funds have less predictable income patterns than individual bonds due to the fund's diversification, strategy and trading actions.—
Catherine Brock,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
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