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
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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
Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 31 Oct. 2025
Poukine is fascinated by survival as a slow act of self-rediscovery.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Kelly Evans, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
That changed in May 2024, when Arden and her partner moved into a new house and noticed Fern acting strangely.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
Originally, Coach Schneider’s (Marshall Bell) gruesome death after a night out at an S&M bar was going to happen at the end of the second act.
—Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 31 Oct. 2025
Poukine is fascinated by survival as a slow act of self-rediscovery.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
And for all the excitement around AI, this market is in fact acting more old-school, following a pattern that was more common in the 1950s through the 1990s, Kantrowitz notes.
—Kelly Evans, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
That changed in May 2024, when Arden and her partner moved into a new house and noticed Fern acting strangely.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
-
But, no matter how good your intentions are, life always manages to throw a wrench into your cleaning routine.—
Kelsey Mulvey,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Each was judged on softness, absorbency, size, and dry time—and yes, every single one has elevated our bath time routines for the better.—
Jasmine Desiree,
Architectural Digest,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Those wanting to stream the show live can do so with a Peacock premium subscription or stream new episodes the next day with a basic Peacock subscription.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The pregame show has room to improve.—
Andrew Marchand,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Under state law, countywide petitions must be signed by 15% of those who voted for the office of circuit clerk in the most recent general election.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Nov. 2025
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Detroit Mercy Law to review shipwreck's legal impact The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law will host a special law review symposium on the Fitzgerald shipwreck's 50th anniversary addressing the legal aspect of fatal shipwrecks.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Displacing 80,000 tons, the Fujian is the closest thing afloat to the US Navy’s 97,000-ton Nimitz-class carriers, which make up 10 of the 11 carriers in the US fleet.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
-
But things just weren't right with her.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Others wore keffiyehs, a symbol of Palestinian resistance, nodding to an issue that inspired many of Mamdani’s supporters and was in turn weaponized by his critics.—
Alex J. Rouhandeh,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
These microbes are then eaten by small invertebrates such as midge larvae and isopods, which are in turn preyed on by larger insects like spiders, beetles, and centipedes.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Under the pretense of going to the bathroom, Dunne escaped out the window and took off in her car, which Sweeney jumped the hood of.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Dwarfing its predecessor and three inches taller, the Ford GT made no pretense of being a racing machine like the car that inspired it.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The bill writes health reimbursement accounts into the tax code, giving small businesses more affordable and flexible health insurance options, according to NFIB.—
Cheryl Winokur Munk,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Advocates and beneficiaries say halting the food aid would force people to choose between buying groceries and paying other bills.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Within 90 days, the county has to draft an action plan for implementing the program.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Her artwork often carries a strong political message, including criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza since October 7, 2023, and reflections on other crises in the Middle East.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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