Synonyms of action

action

noun

ˈak-shən 

1

as in thing

something done by someone

judge people by their actions, not by their words

Synonyms & Similar Words

• thing
• act
• doing
• deed
• achievement
• feat
• accomplishment
• experience
• activity
• exploit
• adventure
• initiative
• performance
• attainment
• work
• undertaking
• proceeding
• enterprise
• operation
• move
• procedure
• stunt
• tactic
• maneuver
• step
• dealing
• trick
• handiwork
• emprise
• measure
• coaction

2

as in plot

the unfolding of events in a dramatic or literary work

the mystery writer displays a sure hand in managing the novel's complicated but never incoherent action

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plot
• story
• story line
• development
• plan
• arc
• subject
• theme
• design
• scheme
• outline
• subplot
• argument
• mythos

3

as in lawsuit

a court case for enforcing a right or claim

filed an action in county court to recover his lawn mower from his neighbor, who claims he "gave" it to her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lawsuit
• proceeding
• suit
• complaint
• litigation
• cause
• case
• counterclaim
• cross action
• cross-claim
• countersuit

4

as in field

active fighting during the course of a war

the battalion saw action soon after it arrived in France

Synonyms & Similar Words

• field
• attack
• combat
• fire
• hostilities
• battle
• operations
• warfare
• firefight
• duty
• service
• pitched battle
• single combat

5

as in behavior

actions plural the way or manner in which one conducts oneself

observing the actions of mice in various controlled settings helps scientists understand the effects of certain drugs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• behavior
• conduct
• presence
• address
• deportment
• demeanor
• comportment
• bearing
• geste
• attitude
• posture
• practice
• habit
• manners
• pose
• pattern
• form
• mode
• aspect
• etiquette
• characteristic
• carriage
• air
• rules
• decorum
• style
• proprieties
• look
• poise
• protocol
• civility
• politeness
• convention
• mores
• custom
• courtesy
• trait
• attribute
• formality
• fashion
• affectation
• amenity
• mien
• trick
• singularity
• uniqueness
• peculiarity
• wont
• weirdness
• distinctiveness
• habitude
• strangeness
• p's and q's
• oddity
• mark

6

as in ambition

readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity

the wilderness was tamed by men and women of action

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ambition
• initiative
• drive
• enterprise
• aggressiveness
• spirit
• go
• hustle
• vigor
• energy
• grit
• gumption
• spunk
• starch
• pluck
• assertiveness
• killer instinct
• pep
• self-reliance
• vitality
• snap
• ambitiousness
• overambitiousness
• hardihood

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inertia
• passivity
• inactivity
• hesitation
• reluctance
• timidity
• diffidence
• lethargy
• laziness
• faintheartedness
• indolence

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of action

The images — found in a search by The Washington Post — follow other controversial actions and rhetoric from former Collins staffers and other Collins associates that have dogged his Senate campaign. — Liz Goodwin, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026

And in New Mexico, the state pursued its own enforcement action, alleging that Meta endangered children and violated state consumer protection law. — Carolina Rossini, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026

Call to action In September 2025, NASA put out a call to action to save Swift, whose orbit was decaying quickly due to high solar activity. — Leonard David, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026

If Canada goes further, the US official said, its actions would provide the legal basis for the US to impose another round of tariffs on Canada under Section 338. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing action

• action figure
• piece of the action