1
as in played
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
Relevance
2
3
as in seemed
to give the impression of being
always acting helpless, just to get attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
as in pretended
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 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
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Recent Examples of acted
Epstein acted as Ariane de Rothschild’s confidant and guide throughout this tumultuous time, the records show.
—
Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
On Tuesday, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office issued its report on the shooting, which determined that Allsup had acted lawfully during the incident and opened fire after Mohammed made a sudden movement toward the victim's throat after not complying with Allsup's commands.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The lack of action by Gee, a President Obama appointee, has surprised some legal observers, especially given the swiftness with which judges in other districts have acted.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
In the 2000s, Freeman acted on shows like The X-Files, Six Feet Under, The Shield, Bones, Dexter, Boston Public, and Cold Case.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
Her TikTok videos acted like a clarion call, bringing them all together.
—Rich Schapiro, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
The remaining states that haven’t yet acted should take notice.
—Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
The Senate has approved two options for reducing taxes that fall substantially short of completely eliminating the tax, but the House has not acted on them.
—Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Kentucky legislators acted on the divisive issue in late March by adding an amendment to an existing bill related to fishing on private lakes and ponds.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
On Tuesday, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office issued its report on the shooting, which determined that Allsup had acted lawfully during the incident and opened fire after Mohammed made a sudden movement toward the victim's throat after not complying with Allsup's commands.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The lack of action by Gee, a President Obama appointee, has surprised some legal observers, especially given the swiftness with which judges in other districts have acted.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
In the 2000s, Freeman acted on shows like The X-Files, Six Feet Under, The Shield, Bones, Dexter, Boston Public, and Cold Case.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
Her TikTok videos acted like a clarion call, bringing them all together.
—Rich Schapiro, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
The remaining states that haven’t yet acted should take notice.
—Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
The Senate has approved two options for reducing taxes that fall substantially short of completely eliminating the tax, but the House has not acted on them.
—Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Kentucky legislators acted on the divisive issue in late March by adding an amendment to an existing bill related to fishing on private lakes and ponds.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acted
Verb
-
Takaoka played a long arcing ball-ahead to Ocampo, who avoided goalkeeper James Pantemis — who had charged off his line — and rolled a shot from the edge of the penalty area inside the back post and into a wide-open net.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The Current’s still one of the most talented teams in the league, boasting such USWNT veterans as Cooper, Sentnor and LaBonta, along with women who’ve played for other countries — Lorena and midfielder Rocky Rodriguez (Costa Rica), for instance.—
PJ Green
April 5,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cazares and Grant-Dawson worked together to get the Bay Area-district out of insolvency, after which HYA Corporation took over fiscal responsibility.—
Scott Lebar. Story produced with AI assistance,
Sacbee.com,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The beneficiary of Adell’s first catch was starter Jack Kochanowicz, who worked 5⅔ innings, with seven strikeouts.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At the time of her nomination, Bondi seemed to have the attributes of an attorney general.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The whites of lights and balloons popped, and black suits seemed extremely dark while clearly retaining their cuts and contours.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Gauthier served as the backup in his first NHL game.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The test also served as a rehearsal of sorts for re-entry day when the astronauts will suit back up for their return to Earth.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The criminals pretended to work for the FBI.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Mar. 2026
-
This time, the scammers pretended to be representatives of Indiana and Maryland’s courts.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But many other comments mocked the shop along with its presidential namesake, with a few detractors posting memes of tearful snowflakes topped with red MAGA hats.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
One of the earliest of American masculinity influencers was President Theodore Roosevelt, who touted his own transformation from a timid, effeminate man – local presses mocked him in his early career – to a rugged outdoorsman.—
Miriam Eve Mora,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Harris performed slightly better than Fuller in a special election on March 10, but neither secured a majority of the vote in a crowded field of candidates, forcing a runoff election.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
McClure didn’t include invoices for work performed by David Westland, who represents SSCVA Board Chairman Andy Qunell, Treasurer Matt Maloney, board members Brent Brashier and Matt Schuffert, and former member Tom Dabertin as individuals in the case.—
Michelle L. Quinn,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The venue is operated by Another Planet Entertainment and has hosted around 80 shows in its first year, with nearly half selling out.—
Madisen Keavy,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Law enforcement who responded to the scene of the crisis like Jeff Boyes, a SWAT team member and sniper, operated with a similar initial understanding.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acted. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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