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
Relevance
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 actors were nearly unrecognizable filming their upcoming series based on the lives of the famed magicians in Los Angeles.
—
Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
Such is the secrecy behind Sam Mendes’ upcoming four-part biopic about the Beatles that the actors aren’t allowed to take hard copies of the scripts beyond the set.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026
The film was written by Hannah Reilly and features actors Natalie Abbott, Stevie Jean, Brianna Bishop, and more.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2026
Full cast editions — featuring actors like Kiera Knightly as Dolores Umbridge and Kit Harington as Professor Lockhart — are now available for preorder.
—Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
The entertainment industry's growing fascination with AI has created a rising apprehension from actors and other creatives about how the ever-evolving technology is transforming the media landscape.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Jan. 2026
For some modern actors cast in projects set in the past, getting their face to match the era their film or series is set in can take a bit of doing—or un-doing.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026
The mother-son dynamic between Lui and Shou never hits a false note while both actors never downplay the challenges that each of their characters confront.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
The awards will run on CBS and Paramount+ between 8pm-11pm ET/5pm-8pm PT on January 11 with a plethora of movies stars, musicians and actors from shows such as Heated Rivalry and Stranger Things taking to the stage.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
Such is the secrecy behind Sam Mendes’ upcoming four-part biopic about the Beatles that the actors aren’t allowed to take hard copies of the scripts beyond the set.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026
The film was written by Hannah Reilly and features actors Natalie Abbott, Stevie Jean, Brianna Bishop, and more.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2026
Full cast editions — featuring actors like Kiera Knightly as Dolores Umbridge and Kit Harington as Professor Lockhart — are now available for preorder.
—Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
The entertainment industry's growing fascination with AI has created a rising apprehension from actors and other creatives about how the ever-evolving technology is transforming the media landscape.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Jan. 2026
For some modern actors cast in projects set in the past, getting their face to match the era their film or series is set in can take a bit of doing—or un-doing.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026
The mother-son dynamic between Lui and Shou never hits a false note while both actors never downplay the challenges that each of their characters confront.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
The awards will run on CBS and Paramount+ between 8pm-11pm ET/5pm-8pm PT on January 11 with a plethora of movies stars, musicians and actors from shows such as Heated Rivalry and Stranger Things taking to the stage.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actors
Noun
-
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
-
The group was tracked for an average of 25 years, during which time 3,208 participants developed dementia.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Health,
9 Jan. 2026
-
This perspective reflects her broader philosophy that people are active participants in their own process, capable of interpreting their internal signals with guidance rather than direction.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Earlier this week, the actresses shared a reel on Instagram revealing the January pick for Reese’s Book Club over a playful FaceTime call.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
-
While both emerged as leading actresses in the early 2010s and won Oscars at a young age, their nominations have often fallen in different years or categories.—
Anna Tingley,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The players and staffers received national championship rings.—
Mac Engel
January 13,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
-
So, expect Morgan to look into trades and available players at every turn.—
Mike Kaye
Updated January 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Fine Arts Theatre Endowment to give back to Southwest Minnesota State and provide scholarships to aspiring thespians.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
31 Dec. 2025
-
In fact, the last one is for real as the aspiring thespians eventually discover.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Actors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actors. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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