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
While Vu survived, Aaron, who loved Street Fighter action figures and Beats by Dre headphones, didn’t.
—
Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
The toy maker has a deal with Disney to supply Toy Story 5 action figures and other product around a tentpole release later this year, and also has a KPop Demon Hunters doll line based on the Netflix franchise.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
The companies plan to release action figures, playsets and accessories, vehicles, games, collectibles, role play and other offerings via multiple retailers.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
In the movie’s first dramatic scene, achingly redolent of memory, the brothers—the older is eleven, the younger eight—loll in front of their family’s house, snacking, grousing, playing with paper action figures, trying to fill the solitude and the silence around them with banter and bravado.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
These small action figures, which can be physically folded and clicked into place, offer a brief break from the constant screen tapping many kids do at mealtimes.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 4 Feb. 2026
Keep scrolling for a first look at the new line and official descriptions, and for exclusive photos of Galitzine, Mendes, and Brie with their action figures.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
At the Nuremberg Toy Fair (Spielwarenmesse), fans were given a glimpse at the new dolls, action figures, collectibles, games, role-play games, and more inspired by the film.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
The toy maker has a deal with Disney to supply Toy Story 5 action figures and other product around a tentpole release later this year, and also has a KPop Demon Hunters doll line based on the Netflix franchise.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
The companies plan to release action figures, playsets and accessories, vehicles, games, collectibles, role play and other offerings via multiple retailers.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
In the movie’s first dramatic scene, achingly redolent of memory, the brothers—the older is eleven, the younger eight—loll in front of their family’s house, snacking, grousing, playing with paper action figures, trying to fill the solitude and the silence around them with banter and bravado.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
These small action figures, which can be physically folded and clicked into place, offer a brief break from the constant screen tapping many kids do at mealtimes.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 4 Feb. 2026
Keep scrolling for a first look at the new line and official descriptions, and for exclusive photos of Galitzine, Mendes, and Brie with their action figures.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
At the Nuremberg Toy Fair (Spielwarenmesse), fans were given a glimpse at the new dolls, action figures, collectibles, games, role-play games, and more inspired by the film.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for action figures
dolls
Noun
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In an expansion of its business of processing pharmaceuticals in Earth’s orbit, Varda Space Industries is renting a large El Segundo plant where toy manufacturer Mattel used to design Hot Wheels and Barbie dolls.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
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Exposing children to dolls with different skin colors and books and movies where the main characters have different skin colors are good places to start.—
Beth Ann Mayer,
Parents,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Action figures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/action%20figures. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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