acting 1 of 3

Definition of actingnext
as in interim
serving in a position for the time being will serve as acting president of the university until a permanent replacement can be found

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

acting

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noun

acting

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verb

present participle of act
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as in serving
to have a certain purpose the tail feathers of woodpeckers act as props while the birds excavate tree trunks for insects

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as in mocking
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

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 acting
Adjective
At the time, acting Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez attributed the changes to technical issues. — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 PinkPantheress has locked in her first-ever acting role in a movie. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 July 2026
Noun
Along with his acting, Mitte worked extensively as an advocate for people with disabilities and was an ambassador for various organizations, including United Cerebral Palsy and Shriner’s Children. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026 But after years of finding his footing in Hollywood, Cena said his attitude toward acting couldn't be more different today. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
The settlers seem to be acting with more confidence, brazenness, and violence. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 The complaint does not charge him with espionage, theft of trade secrets, or acting as an agent of a foreign government, a point his defense stressed in its motion. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for acting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acting
Adjective
  • The Union have climbed from last place in the Eastern Conference at the World Cup break to sixth under interim coach Ryan Richter, who took over after Bradley Carnell was let go.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Napoli replaces Guillermo Olmedillo, who had served as interim village manager and is staying on as a land use, zoning and infrastructure consultant.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The series is produced by sports and entertainment studio Full Day Productions, a Words + Pictures company, in collaboration with Lost Tribe Creative.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Hello82, the K-pop entertainment company headquartered in Los Angeles, aims to plant a flag in the market with their upcoming 82World.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Each has the perspective of attending East Side schools, playing football and returning to teach and coach at the high school.
    — Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The main reason the Giants have a chance to win every week, though, despite all their injuries and heart-stopping endings, is that Jameis Winston is playing well as their starting quarterback.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Each time a shutter fires, and each time a tire squeals, involves countless pieces working together to deliver a smooth outcome.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Linn County prosecutors declined to file criminal charges, but the church barred Moore from working with children, youth and vulnerable adults.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The simple-seeming request turned into an arduous task that would require scores of emails, multiple phone calls with Epic employees, a flight to Las Vegas, and a software update.
    — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Such seeming futility has bred disillusionment among some of the student body.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Even Blair herself has been rejected by a bank for serving as OnlyFans’ CEO.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Imprisoned since 2004 and serving a life sentence, Buchanan was accused of directing drug sales, extortion, gambling and violence across San Diego County and beyond.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Lee ingratiates himself by pretending to be interested in becoming a CO himself — attracted to the manliness and the glamor.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In a news release, police said that 25-year-old Baldwin Park resident Juan Carlos Amaya contacted the teenage girl via Snapchat and began talking to her while pretending to be 17 years old.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • There were earlier versions of this story that were openly mocking of Kip, versions that threw Leo under the bus for being too sly; versions that were too overtly political; versions with ghosts that didn’t need to be there, and so on.
    — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Reels captured everything from dancing and DJ parties at protest sites to songs mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Acting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acting. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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