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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of acted
Some major questions linger over whether DeSalvo acted alone or even committed all of the killings.
—
Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
And there’s Ben’s mother Anne Meara, who wrote plays, acted in everything from TV sitcoms to Shakespeare in the Park productions, and always preferred her son’s more serious work to his broader, big-budget laugh riots.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025
Noss has been with the MPA since 2006, and previously acted as counsel and director of government affairs for the national copyright collective, representing authors and publishers.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
Trailblazers for women in business Mary and Newquist had never met, but both acted as trailblazers at a time when it was considered somewhat unusual for women to be leaders in business, Atkinson said.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025
However, the young prankster alleges Cairo acted more violently than originally believed.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
For the role of young Bruce Springsteen, Matthew Anthony Pellicano had never acted before — but his audition tape struck her.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
What is interesting about the vocal but peaceful protest on Boston Common is that the anti-Trump speakers and demonstrators acted as though there was a presidential election coming up in November.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
In Vought’s hands, OMB has acted as a choke point for the funding that Congress approves and agencies rely on to run the government.
—Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 20 Oct. 2025
Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
And there’s Ben’s mother Anne Meara, who wrote plays, acted in everything from TV sitcoms to Shakespeare in the Park productions, and always preferred her son’s more serious work to his broader, big-budget laugh riots.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025
Noss has been with the MPA since 2006, and previously acted as counsel and director of government affairs for the national copyright collective, representing authors and publishers.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
Trailblazers for women in business Mary and Newquist had never met, but both acted as trailblazers at a time when it was considered somewhat unusual for women to be leaders in business, Atkinson said.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025
However, the young prankster alleges Cairo acted more violently than originally believed.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
For the role of young Bruce Springsteen, Matthew Anthony Pellicano had never acted before — but his audition tape struck her.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
What is interesting about the vocal but peaceful protest on Boston Common is that the anti-Trump speakers and demonstrators acted as though there was a presidential election coming up in November.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
In Vought’s hands, OMB has acted as a choke point for the funding that Congress approves and agencies rely on to run the government.
—Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acted
Verb
-
Tewes, who had played cruise director Julie McCoy, since the series debuted in 1977, returned for a handful of episodes in the dramedy's final two seasons in 1986 and 1987.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Oct. 2025
-
This came to a head for one of the show's stars, Lauren Tewes, who played cruise director Julie McCoy.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Her dad worked for an automotive firm, while her mom worked for the local police department.—
NPR,
NPR,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The Knicks fired head coach Tom Thibodeau over the summer, replacing him with Mike Brown, who should be able to spruce up the team's offense while preserving the Thibodeau-era elements that worked.—
Alex Kirschenbaum,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The woman seemed to be seriously considering that advice.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
That seemed like Weird and Wild material to me.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Veteran oilman Robert Price was regaled with stories of dogsledding and adventures in Greenland as a child from his father who served as a military weatherman there during World War II.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Anglers who want to keep their catch fresh on a long drive home are better served to cover fish in a dry livewell with ice.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The rest of his Republican colleagues gleefully approved the bill and have pretended ever since that their vote was the right thing to do.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Tapping into his State Farm acting chops on fourth down while leading 7-0, Mahomes pretended to be frustrated with a Reid play-call before handing the ball off.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Following the no-contest between Aspinall and Ciryl Gane, Jones mocked the injured champion with a silent but hilarious move on social media that quickly garnered attention.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Italy’s performance at World Cup 1978 and Euro 1980 on home soil was decent enough, but their sluggish form going into the tournament meant he was mercilessly mocked in the Italian press.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
On August 30, 1972, John performed at the One to One benefit concert at Madison Square Garden — his only full-length show after leaving The Beatles.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
23 Oct. 2025
-
To help Bacon get these abilities back, Keyoumars Ashkan, professor of neurosurgery, performed DBS on her, implanting electrodes in Bacon's brain and tracking her body’s reaction in real time.—
Elmira Aliieva,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The new research puts that mystery to rest and can help paleontologists find, recognize and analyze future mummy finds for tiny clues into how giant dinosaurs really looked.—
Amanda Schupak,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
-
On glam, Kardashian looked to Dimitris Giannetos for her sophisticated slickback bun, with bronzed makeup, and long black talon nails.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acted. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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