acted

past tense of act
1
2
as in worked
to produce a desired effect the painkiller acted surprisingly quickly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
as in served
to have a certain purpose the tail feathers of woodpeckers act as props while the birds excavate tree trunks for insects

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
6
as in mocked
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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of acted The defense maintained that Anthony acted in self-defense. Doug Myers, CBS News, 10 June 2026 The punitive phase of the civil trial began Thursday, after jurors determined that Grossman had acted with malice and oppression and Erickson with malice, oppression or fraud. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026 Then came gold nanoparticles that acted like catalysts, and we were confused by their apparent willingness to take part in chemical reactions. Chris Lee, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026 Exactly what conduct prompted the investigation remains unclear but investigators found no violations of state education law and no evidence Duncan acted for personal gain. Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026 Cepeda, an ally of President Gustavo Petro and a former member of Colombia's communist party, has acted as a mediator between Colombia’s government and Marxist rebels. ABC News, 9 June 2026 Before taking over Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar in Bridgeport in 2010 from their mother, brothers Ed and Mike Marszewski already had decades-long experience in operating art spaces that acted as community centers. Lisa Shames, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026 The defense's case Defense attorneys argued that Anthony acted in self-defense after being confronted by a larger student and physically touched during the dispute. Stepheny Price , Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026 India's regional peers have acted — some going beyond expectations — to get ahead of the inflation curve. Sri Jegarajah,priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acted
Verb
  • The game was played in Texas but Knicks fans gathered at watch parties across the city to witness the team battle back in the fourth quarter to take the title.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
  • Although the championship-clinching game was played thousands of miles away, police maintained a large presence around Madison Square Garden, the Knicks' home arena.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Verb
  • The Knicks elected to foul rather than allow San Antonio to attempt a tying three and the strategy worked exactly as intended.
    Dan Zaksheske, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
  • In the 1970s, what was then West Germany co-produced the Tornado bomber with the UK and Italy; then in the 1990s Germany worked with the UK, Italy and Spain to produce the dog-fighting Eurofighter jet.
    Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • Pickens’ answer to the Star-Telegram seemed less optimistic.
    Nick Harris June 11, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026
  • Robinson wasn't the only Knick who seemed fed up with Wembanyama.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Visitors stroll brick streets, admire gabled roofs and pause for pastries at beloved Dutch bakeries that have served generations.
    Staff, USA Today, 8 June 2026
  • For the last seven years, McNealy has served as the historic content expert for the Civil Rights Institute while also working as the department chair of history at Arthur Harold Parker High School and a professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • King pretended to be dead as Lee tried to wrench open the cash register.
    Nina Giraldo, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
  • Samara Weaving once pretended to be her lookalike friend, Margot Robbie.
    Hannah Malach, InStyle, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • Gaudí’s radical, modernist designs were mocked in his lifetime but have subsequently been celebrated.
    Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 13 June 2026
  • The bear designed on the flag was mocked by some, due to its closer resemblance to a pig.
    Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Two groups of ultras performed choreographed routines of chants and jumping, backed by drums and trumpets.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 10 June 2026
  • For example, trick roping performed by horse riders that don’t actually lasso animals or choreographed riding to music are not included in the ban.
    Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • Cybersecurity roles have fundamentally changed Not long ago, cybersecurity teams operated separately from most company functions and focused mainly on implementing controls, monitoring threats and responding to incidents.
    Harpreet Sidhu, Fortune, 13 June 2026
  • The subsidies, naturally, operated through white traders.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Acted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acted. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.

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