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
  • In addition, the Urban Summit played a leading role in the special election to recall former Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr.
    Freddrell Green, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2026
  • While the men who landed on the beaches of Normandy are remembered each year, Museum officials said the women on the home front played an essential role in making Allied victory possible.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • Each one she’s ever worked with has their own unique personality.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
  • Director Max Winkler worked closely with the two actors to create a rapport that could inform their face-offs, which operate on rage and fear.
    Hunter Ingram, Variety, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • Complete with glow-in-the-dark buttons and an antenna, the prop certainly seemed less likely to get its owner in legal trouble.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 June 2026
  • But even the comms team seemed evasive.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 4 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
  • That unique bitterness is mocked, but revered, in countless social media videos.
    Chris Tye, CBS News, 6 June 2026
  • The Super Bowl-winning quarterback, set to join CBS’ pregame show after announcing his retirement Wednesday, went from Seattle Seahawks superstar to frequently mocked journeyman so quickly that only time will help process the implications in an even-handed manner.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 5 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
  • The $21 million amphitheater will be operated and managed by Legends / ASM Global, which operates 13 similar facilities nationwide, including the Greek Theatre.
    Austin Turner, CBS News, 6 June 2026
  • The Cigna Group and Hartford Insurance Group have operated for more than two centuries, evolving alongside the industries—and risks—they were originally created to insure.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 6 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Acted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acted. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

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