ACTOR Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

actor

noun

ˈak-tər

Definition of actor

as in actress

one who acts professionally (as in a play, movie, or television show) my sister went to drama school to become an actor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in participant

one who takes part in something Benjamin Franklin was a major actor in many of the events leading up to the founding of our nation

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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 actor The Deadwood and Justified star is set to reprise his role as the real-life actor James Stacy in The Adventures of Cliff Booth, a sequel to Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 hit, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 21 July 2026 A lot of great actors are based around there, and there were others like Lubna Azabal who plays Julia Felix. — ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026 Zylberstein is also one of the few French actors signed by CAA. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 21 July 2026 Her authentic performance as Jia, a deaf girl who shares a unique bond with Kong, earned widespread praise and helped increase representation of deaf actors in major Hollywood productions. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for actor

Recent Examples of Synonyms for actor

Noun

The singer and actress, 33, received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, while looking like a true rockstar in a grungy gown with tousled hair complemented by sleek and smokey makeup that exclusively used Maybelline New York products.

— Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
Weeds, Nurse Jackie, United States of Tara — all of these shows gave talented actresses the chance to play complex emotional story lines in addition to generally dark comedy.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of actress

Noun

The shots were extensively tested for safety before they were authorized for emergency use, with the FDA requiring at least two months of follow-up safety data after vaccinating trial participants.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
In an independent third-party clinical study of 33 participants, 100 percent showed improvement across seven key signs of lip aging after just one use, while 96 percent demonstrated enhanced lip volume after four weeks.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of participant

Noun

Several years ago, performer and playwright Ty Autry had the idea of bringing together an Atlanta performing arts festival for the LGBTQ community.

— Jim Farmer, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Lorde was feeling herself, physically and metaphorically, and the voyeuristic vibes of her set freed both performer and audience alike on Day One of Lollapalooza 2026.

— Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of performer

Noun

With their team in a state of flux, the Angeles may be looking to stock up on multiple, inexpensive young players under team control for years to come.

— Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
The New England Revolution player assisted both of Son’s goals during his 36 minutes on the field.

— Kamran Nia July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026

Definition of player

Noun

Petal vents about the plight of the mass entertainer who is forever observed and critiqued.

— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
To the world, McRae is a strong, fearless entertainer, a triple threat who can pen songs that recall the fizzy pop of the early aughts and bring them to life as a ferocious singer and dancer.

— Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of entertainer

Noun

Broadway's glittering lights have always beckoned aspiring thespians and avid theatergoers to New York, and the city's ever exciting theatre scene is far from simply resting on its laurels.

— Madison Flager, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 July 2026
Zendaya counted her sixth Emmy nom for the final season of Euphoria with a Best Actress Drama Series nod; the Spider-Man and Dune thespian already has two at home, with Drama Series Actress wins in 2020 and 2022 on HBO’s edgy HBO young-adult series.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 8 July 2026

Definition of thespian

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activity

actor

actorish

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“Actor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actor. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of actor

noun

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