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 cast spans actors of Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian and Korean heritage.
—
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 May 2026
During the filming of the James Bond movie License to Kill, right after the hotel first opened, many of the actors stayed there.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
In Bigas Luna’s 1992 film Jamón jamón, the actors shared the screen for the first time.
—Nuria Hernández, Vanity Fair, 7 May 2026
Twinnin, which is owned by tech firm AI Kat, has since launch held events and had meetings with the likes of actors union Equity and casting platform Spotlight.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 May 2026
Stand-in actors take the place of the principal actor as the crew adjusts camera angles and lighting setups.
—Brayden Garcia
may 7, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
Accountability would improve if California’s major education actors were aligned around a small set of public goals, if districts were given clearer expectations and if the public could see who is responsible for progress and where the system is falling short.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The all-day event is attended by top homegrown producers, actors, musicians and execs.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Josh is a skeptic who gets itchy whenever actors burst into song; Melissa is a believer who longs for a romance so transcendent that it can be expressed only in an airy glissando, opted up an octave.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 May 2026
During the filming of the James Bond movie License to Kill, right after the hotel first opened, many of the actors stayed there.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
In Bigas Luna’s 1992 film Jamón jamón, the actors shared the screen for the first time.
—Nuria Hernández, Vanity Fair, 7 May 2026
Twinnin, which is owned by tech firm AI Kat, has since launch held events and had meetings with the likes of actors union Equity and casting platform Spotlight.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 May 2026
Stand-in actors take the place of the principal actor as the crew adjusts camera angles and lighting setups.
—Brayden Garcia
may 7, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
Accountability would improve if California’s major education actors were aligned around a small set of public goals, if districts were given clearer expectations and if the public could see who is responsible for progress and where the system is falling short.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The all-day event is attended by top homegrown producers, actors, musicians and execs.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Josh is a skeptic who gets itchy whenever actors burst into song; Melissa is a believer who longs for a romance so transcendent that it can be expressed only in an airy glissando, opted up an octave.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 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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The Government Accountability Office found that participants in Ticket to Work earned more on average and were more likely to leave disability rolls than similar nonparticipants.—
French Hill,
Baltimore Sun,
4 May 2026
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Meanwhile, Israel and Russia’s pavilions have generated widespread controversy, with politicians, artists, and even participants in Koyo Kouoh’s main exhibition urging the Biennale to exclude both nations from the show.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
4 May 2026
Noun
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The movie has myriad storylines, but fires up in a metropolis future where actresses are gathering at a posh hotel where they’re set to make a Barberella-like movie.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
1 May 2026
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Comparisons between Vampire Diaries alum Nina Dobrev and former Victorious star Victoria Justice are nothing new for the brunette actresses.—
Laura Lane,
PEOPLE,
1 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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With a roster of 26 players, Lewis’ commitment has fashioned a cornerstone for what might be a program of the future.—
Martin Henderson,
Oc Register,
9 May 2026
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Meziane threw his trio of rookies into the deep end against New York, running a lineup with all three players on the court for extended stretches in the first quarter.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
9 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 10 May. 2026.
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