1
as in thing
something done by someone
judge people by their actions, not by their words
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
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
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
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 action
But the massive outpouring of public grief following Jackson’s death set those allegations aside for many people, and Branca and McClain quickly sprung into action to rescue the estate from impending bankruptcy.
—
Jem Aswad, Variety, 27 May 2026
An engineering study revealed that the fill slopes were failing due to years of stormwater runoff and recommended two actions — improve the drainage system and build a retaining wall to stop erosion on nearby private properties.
—Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2026
Bob Odenkirk continues his trajectory to be an unexpected action star as the interim sheriff of a small town called Normal, Minnesota.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 27 May 2026
What looks like a simple action on the surface is shaped by a thousand different signals on the inside.
—Juan Graña, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for action
Jem Aswad, Variety, 27 May 2026
An engineering study revealed that the fill slopes were failing due to years of stormwater runoff and recommended two actions — improve the drainage system and build a retaining wall to stop erosion on nearby private properties.
—Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2026
Bob Odenkirk continues his trajectory to be an unexpected action star as the interim sheriff of a small town called Normal, Minnesota.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 27 May 2026
What looks like a simple action on the surface is shaped by a thousand different signals on the inside.
—Juan Graña, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for action
Recent Examples of Synonyms for action
Noun
-
Perkins coaches his son’s YPG Perkins team, and things were getting chippy against their opponent, Swaveway Playaz.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
28 May 2026
-
Go out there and play defense, and then good things happen.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The plot pivot point is based on a real proposal (but never actualized) to pay New York City homeowners to shelter migrants in their homes.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
Fortunately, the plot machinations demand that Tova sprain her ankle early in the film, which gives the otherwise ageless Field the excuse to limp or shuffle around in a walking boot.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Brensley’s campaign is now taking legal action, hitting Galvin’s office with a lawsuit seeking additional time to replace the fraudulent signatures and considering a lawsuit against consultant Joe Bronske.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
-
According to the lawsuit, the child consumed the kofta at The Kebab Shop on Los Feliz Boulevard on or about April 1.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Demuth led the field through four ballots, but after Lindell failed to advance to the fifth ballot, Qualls took the lead and the number of votes cast fell.—
Jimmy Lovrien,
Twin Cities,
31 May 2026
-
On the opposite side of the field, Wilson and Rodríguez stood near the first-base dugout alongside Rays mascots.—
Chantz Martin OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
These algorithms factor in variables such as a base rate, distance, tolls, surcharges, surge multipliers, booking fees, route adjustments, promotions, time of day, and even the behavior of individual workers and consumers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
-
Then create rules around behavior based on their wildly inaccurate opinions.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Continuing that synthesis — of theory and practice, of short-term goals and long-term ambitions — is the challenge, and the next step is closing out a team that’s in the process learning a thing or two about itself.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Despite all this, and despite having been jilted by her fiancé shortly after her father’s demise, the young woman remained undeterred in her ambitions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The book is a poetry collection structured in three acts with seven players, each assigned a color of the rainbow and an apparition’s name, each of whom needs an audience to fully exist.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
Kareem chased it down in the corner, did a bit of a tightrope act to stay inbounds, then turned around and drained it with near-perfect form.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
-
This two-story house has three bedrooms and four bathrooms.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Action.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/action. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
