as in dolls
a small figure often of a human being used especially as a child's plaything
a collection of action figures of his favorite superheroes
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Recent Examples of action figures
In October, Netflix named Mattel the master licensee for dolls, action figures and other products for KPop Demon Hunters, while Hasbro was named master licensee for games and role-play toys, among other items.
—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
The fifth installment confronts the all-too-real reality that kids would rather play with screens than action figures.
—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
17 June 2026
In 1987, Masters of the Universe, the first live-action movie based on the Mattel action figures, was released in theaters.
—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
While Langella struts around his castle delivering deliriously overblown dialogue, Lundgren displays about as much emotion as the plastic toy action figures the movie is based on.
—
Jeffrey Ressner,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
From action figures to the big screen, He-Man has never been just one thing.
—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
2 June 2026
The characters of Prince Adam, He-Man’s alter ego, dressed in a pink vest and seen by some fans as an icon for the LGBTQ+ community, and Orko, a blundering extraterrestrial wizard who helps the prince, were introduced as action figures in 1984.
—
Sanat Pai Raikarall,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
4 May 2026
In theaters May 29 By the power of Grayskull, He-Man is back on the big screen in Mattel’s live-action revival of their beloved action figures, proving that 1980s culture never dies.
—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Marvel action figures and signs coat the dining the room.
—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
The fifth installment confronts the all-too-real reality that kids would rather play with screens than action figures.
—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
17 June 2026
In 1987, Masters of the Universe, the first live-action movie based on the Mattel action figures, was released in theaters.
—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
While Langella struts around his castle delivering deliriously overblown dialogue, Lundgren displays about as much emotion as the plastic toy action figures the movie is based on.
—
Jeffrey Ressner,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
From action figures to the big screen, He-Man has never been just one thing.
—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
2 June 2026
The characters of Prince Adam, He-Man’s alter ego, dressed in a pink vest and seen by some fans as an icon for the LGBTQ+ community, and Orko, a blundering extraterrestrial wizard who helps the prince, were introduced as action figures in 1984.
—
Sanat Pai Raikarall,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
4 May 2026
In theaters May 29 By the power of Grayskull, He-Man is back on the big screen in Mattel’s live-action revival of their beloved action figures, proving that 1980s culture never dies.
—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Marvel action figures and signs coat the dining the room.
—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for action figures
dolls
Noun
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About 146 groups, made up of more than 1,400 participants, marched in the parade, with projects ranging from larger-than-life marionette dolls to squads of children in do-it-yourself costumes to mobile re-creations of LACMA’s most iconic art pieces.
-
Bonnie herself has grown in subsequent sequels, and now Toy Story 5 finds her as a shy 8-year-old struggling to balance her affection for vintage dolls like Jessie with the shinier tech her peers prefer.
Cite this Entry
“Action figures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/action%20figures. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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