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
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Recent Examples of act
Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Told backwards in three acts, The Life of Chuck starts with the end of the world and ends with a personal affirmation of wonder.
—James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Gabby Giffords, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Yesterday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics shared the latest update to the producer price index (PPI), which often acts as a precursor to wider inflation trends.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
But Musk also suggests that the act of pursuing a spacefaring future, despite the perils, can serve as a sort of balm for existential dread.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Told backwards in three acts, The Life of Chuck starts with the end of the world and ends with a personal affirmation of wonder.
—James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
Yet somehow Congress refuses to act.
—Gabby Giffords, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Yesterday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics shared the latest update to the producer price index (PPI), which often acts as a precursor to wider inflation trends.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
-
Oaks trees support a wide variety of butterfly and moth caterpillars, which in turn feed birds.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
10 Sep. 2025
-
These crops, in turn, return to Saison, inspiring the cuisine that delights their guests.—
Chelsea Davis,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As fans scramble to catch the ball, footage shows, the ball appears to land one row in front of a woman while a man runs over and grabs it.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Following the show's cancellation, Gosselaar landed several leading roles on series such as Pitch (2016), The Passage (2019), and Mixed-ish (2019–2021).—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The grants were allocated under President Joe Biden's signature Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, an anti-gun violence law signed after the mass school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Aside from his signature 2021 criminal justice bill, Cooper signed legislation into law in 2020, allowing judges to reduce mandatory minimum sentences mandated by law for drug offenders.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Nevertheless, the Phillies and Marlins teams were aware that few things are as exciting for a young fan as getting a home run ball.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
-
This homey boutique is a one-stop shop for all things Durango.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Rinse thoroughly before moving through your routine.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
-
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,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
By showing both timelines, director Cato Kusters resists using Julian’s illness as a plot device, encouraging us to watch these women without the pretense of melodrama.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
-
But not everyone accepts that pretense.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Lerner believes that without smarter management, enterprises will face spiraling bills and strained infrastructure.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Jackson is one of 45 Democrats who have co-sponsored a bill, the Block the Bombs Act, that would cut off some offensive military assistance to Israel.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And while those enforcement actions have not yet translated into criminal cases or fines against the employers, the raids themselves in some cases significantly disrupted business operations.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The story that actually led me to them was when Bishop Tony Caldwell made a call to action, saying that community members were trying to report Black women missing and they were being ignored or dismissed.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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