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 establishment of the fund comes less than two weeks after a district court judge ruled the Kennedy Center's board acted unlawfully in adding the president's name and in making plans for two years of closure and renovations. Emma Nicholson, CBS News, 15 June 2026 Sarkissian, whose family started one of the first banquet halls in Los Angeles, remembers that his father acted as a friend and counselor to a lot of immigrants who suffered extreme culture shock. Ani Duzdabanyan, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026 The judge also ruled that the board had acted unlawfully in approving a two-year closure of the institution for renovations. Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 15 June 2026 Carpiuc acted as a middleman, and Pochynok allegedly was recruited to record video of the fires so Lavrynovych could get paid. ABC News, 15 June 2026 While this winter was colder and snowier than previous years, snowfall on the ground acted much like a blanket for ticks, providing shelter and warmth against the bitter cold temperatures. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2026 The latter group acted as the control group for the study. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 15 June 2026 Still, some defendants have successfully applied an EED defense in cases that differ from these typical scenarios, including when the defendant was under the influence of drugs or acted based upon a mistaken belief. Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 14 June 2026 Max and Mako's parents also acted aggressively, Cutler told deputies. Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 14 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
  • The championship parade seemed to inspire hope and joy in Knicks fans who waited more than five decades to reach the pinnacle of basketball.
    Mason Leib, ABC News, 18 June 2026
  • Mamdani then issued keys to the city to staff and players, including Dolan and his son, both of whom seemed severely uninterested in a photo op.
    Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • In 2014, Smith served a nine-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct and substance abuse policies.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2026
  • Flaks previously served as vice chairman of the board, according to officials.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2026
Verb
  • In the first incident, the victim pretended to sleep during the attack.
    Harry Harris, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
  • Griffin has never pretended to be a radical innovator or a savant.
    Gary Sernovitz, New Yorker, 15 June 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
  • Zac Brown Band performed the national anthem, and other stars who took part included comedians Nate Bargatze, Shane Gillis and Tony Hinchcliffe, as well as singers Luke Bryan and Kid Rock.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 17 June 2026
  • The measure performed best in central and west Davis, continuing the pattern established on election night.
    Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 17 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 20 Jun. 2026.

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