1
as in performers
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
2
as in participants
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of actors
The rapid rise of AI, while technologically dazzling, has prompted widespread anxieties on multiple fronts, including job security, human worth and potential misuse by malevolent actors looking to commit fraud, spread disinformation or foment hate.
—
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 14 May 2026
And to be clear, there absolutely are bad-faith actors out there.
—Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
None could have been funded first by private actors, or even universities.
—Gautam Mukunda, Twin Cities, 14 May 2026
The actors, who met on the set of 2011's Green Lantern, began dating later that year and wed in September 2012.
—Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
The rest of the cast is also made up of non-professional actors.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Head to Rosemont for this Japanese pop culture convention featuring voice actors, artists, and more.
—Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Their new video credits actors who serve as body doubles for Jagger, Richards and Woods.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
The cast spans actors of Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian and Korean heritage.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 May 2026
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 14 May 2026
And to be clear, there absolutely are bad-faith actors out there.
—Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
None could have been funded first by private actors, or even universities.
—Gautam Mukunda, Twin Cities, 14 May 2026
The actors, who met on the set of 2011's Green Lantern, began dating later that year and wed in September 2012.
—Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
The rest of the cast is also made up of non-professional actors.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Head to Rosemont for this Japanese pop culture convention featuring voice actors, artists, and more.
—Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Their new video credits actors who serve as body doubles for Jagger, Richards and Woods.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
The cast spans actors of Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian and Korean heritage.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actors
Noun
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Alaska, Hawaiian are consistent performers The AQR also singled out Alaska Airlines as the steadiest performer in the industry.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There were also fans of nearby college teams cheering on their guys, plus some participants’ encouraging families.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Successful participants have since been invited back for subsequent seasons of their shows, secured roles on other NBCU shows, or advanced to higher positions.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Powell married twice more, both times to actresses.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 May 2026
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The media company hosts the event each year, allowing company executives, actors, and actresses to present future projects.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
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And in doing so, Gunther often lulls crowds into becoming sporting event spectators rather than the raucous participators that most other wrestlers try to draw out of them.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Heher and Hartje exchanged words after the play, and players and coaches from both benches streamed onto the field before cooler heads prevailed.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
23 May 2026
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On Friday, the NBA announced the players named to its All-Defensive teams.—
Lauren Williams,
AJC.com,
23 May 2026
Noun
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After word gets out that Frank Capra plans to see a matinee performance, a series of comedic twists and turns determines the fate of whether the two thespians achieve their acting ambitions.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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Returning cast members include Brooks, Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, George Wynder and Daphne Zuniga with new thespians including Gad, Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman and Anthony Carrigan.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Actors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actors. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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