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
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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
M. Z. Adnan, New Yorker, 20 July 2025
That occurred in May 1886 when Prof. H. Cooke and his assistant, Louise Bremond, brought their act to town for two successive nights at the Opera House for a packed house.
—Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 July 2025
Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
To support document intelligence, a secure, centralized digital vault can act as a single source of truth for client, advisor and enterprise records.
—Daniel Kenny, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
Palestinians’ resistance to their displacement is visible not only in images of young men brandishing weapons, Khader said, but in simple acts: an elderly woman tending to her land, remaining to care for her olive trees despite the ruins that now surround her.
—M. Z. Adnan, New Yorker, 20 July 2025
That occurred in May 1886 when Prof. H. Cooke and his assistant, Louise Bremond, brought their act to town for two successive nights at the Opera House for a packed house.
—Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 July 2025
Verb
King's family has long expressed doubts about whether Ray acted alone or was even involved in the killing.
—Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
To support document intelligence, a secure, centralized digital vault can act as a single source of truth for client, advisor and enterprise records.
—Daniel Kenny, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
-
Apache Stronghold in turn has asked the high court to reconsider its request to have the case heard.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
30 July 2025
-
In recent sessions, some state leaders and individual lawmakers have chafed under the rules that make for a slow start, which in turn always means a mad rush at the end to get bills over the finish line.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Noun
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The show can be watched on CBS or streamed on Paramount+.—
Dina Kaur,
AZCentral.com,
21 July 2025
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The show also featured a regular segment on missing pets, in this case a dilute calico with a stripe down its nose.—
Frank Langfitt,
NPR,
20 July 2025
Noun
-
In 1965: In a landmark moment for health care, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed amendments to the Social Securities Act of 1935 into law, creating two federal health programs: Medicare and Medicaid.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
31 July 2025
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Tuscaloosa's first brewpub, opening after Alabama passed a 2009 gourmet beer law, spotlights musicians, writers and other artists in its Moon Room, serves stylized pub food with indoor-outdoor dining and offers classic pinball, video and board games inside.—
Susan Stapleton,
The Tennessean,
31 July 2025
Noun
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One thing's for certain, The Boring Company's tunnel to BNA will be anything but boring.—
Charles Singh,
The Tennessean,
29 July 2025
-
Both families are wanting charges to be brought forward, but Joe knows his daughter has one thing to focus on at the moment.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
Positive reinforcement, creating a safe space, and sticking to a consistent routine can all help a dog feel safe.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
-
The traditional 9-to-5 office routine is fading fast.—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
31 July 2025
Noun
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In the case of Brazil, which now faces a potential 50% levy, the president has abandoned the pretense of using his tariff policy to shore up trade deficits.—
Garrett Haake,
NBC news,
10 July 2025
-
Over the past several years, numerous individuals have been arrested after allegedly attempting to enter the property under suspicious or false pretenses, in some cases carrying electronic equipment or claiming to have messages for the president.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
Noun
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The bill includes longtime friends and Aussie favorites ICEHOUSE, Cold Chisel bandmate Ian Moss and Kate Ceberano.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
31 July 2025
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The bill, sponsored by Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), comes amid longtime scrutiny of congressional stock trading, but would only take effect at the start of officeholders’ new terms.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Noun
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Hot on the heels of a major ransomware group being taken down through an international law enforcement operation comes a new development that highlights the whack-a-mole nature of such actions: A new group, likely comprised of some of the same members, has already taken its place.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
26 July 2025
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Although Trump signaled that the ruling protects Obama, there is no current investigation that has been announced by the Department of Justice into Obama or his administration over actions during the 2016 election.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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