1
as in thing
something done by someone
judge people by their actions, not by their words
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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
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4
as in field
active fighting during the course of a war
the battalion saw action soon after it arrived in France
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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
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6
as in ambition
readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity
the wilderness was tamed by men and women of action
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of action
At Work, Laurent Cantet’s posthumous work Enzo, directed by his longtime friend Robin Campillo, Cédric Jimenez’s sci-fi action film Dog 51 and Martin Bourboulon’s 13 Days, 13 Nights.
—
Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
The latest action brings the total number of people believed to have been killed to at least 57.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2025
Built in reference to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which include clean water and sanitation, climate action, affordable and clean energy, no poverty and zero hunger.
—Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 28 Oct. 2025
Both the school and neighborhood were evacuated as a safety precaution, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, which was not part of Monday’s action.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for action
Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
The latest action brings the total number of people believed to have been killed to at least 57.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2025
Built in reference to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which include clean water and sanitation, climate action, affordable and clean energy, no poverty and zero hunger.
—Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 28 Oct. 2025
Both the school and neighborhood were evacuated as a safety precaution, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, which was not part of Monday’s action.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for action
Recent Examples of Synonyms for action
Noun
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Displacing 80,000 tons, the Fujian is the closest thing afloat to the US Navy’s 97,000-ton Nimitz-class carriers, which make up 10 of the 11 carriers in the US fleet.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
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But things just weren't right with her.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Once written, the script’s fantastic promise distracted its readers from the fatal holes in its plot.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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Set in the English countryside, the film uses the classic plot of a lower class criminal working his way up through the hierarchy in order to extract laughs from an ensemble of eccentric aristocrats.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Madoff case stems from a 2009 lawsuit by Herald Fund SPC against HSBC's Luxembourg arm, seeking the return of securities and cash allegedly lost in the fraud.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
28 Oct. 2025
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Kiser later filed a lawsuit to keep records about her son’s death out of public view.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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His middle name is a homage to the Atlanta Braves’ former field where Freddie played for the majority of his career.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
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The next time Hamilton had the ball, Sculley hit Oliver crossing the middle of the field for a 90-yard touchdown.—
Richard Obert,
AZCentral.com,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The behavior of these younger generational cohorts is a stark departure from the past.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
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One commenter shared with OP that this behavior is normal and that kids can often switch their preference between parents.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In addition to her professional ambitions, Mallory also had a thriving social life and was dating Anthony Cook.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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No matter what happens at their meeting, China’s ambitions will still pose the same long-term risks to American interests, American allies, and American power.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This act would make daylight saving time permanent and end the bi-annual tradition of changing the clocks.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
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The film’s tonal balancing act — mixing absurdist humor with Anderson’s trademark intensity — seemed obviously comedic to casual awards observers, and the filmmakers, along with studio awards strategists, felt similarly.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
Jillian Frankel,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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On expedition, the hunter who joined me on polar bear watch was relating a story from his grandfather who told him the telling sign of narwhal appearance.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Action.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/action. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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