actress

noun

Definition of actressnext
as in actor
a woman or girl who acts in a play, movie, etc. The versatile actress can seemingly play any role. The actresses in the musical vastly outperformed their male counterparts.

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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 actress Her latest film as a director-plus-actress, The Invite, is scheduled to screen in the Swiss town’s big central square, the Piazza Grande, on Saturday evening. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026 The British actress’s understanding of art, and herself, was altered by an unexpected encounter with an intimately familiar image. — Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 7 Aug. 2026 For the grand finale of her tropical celebration, the Academy Award-winning actress went braless in a head-turning satin slip dress while enjoying the sunset on the sand. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026 Reps for the studio declined comment; the actresses’ reps couldn’t be reached. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for actress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actress
  1. actor
  2. performer
  3. entertainer
  4. player
Noun
  • The actor arrived in a regal sky blue high-neck top with a long cascading train and clashing red lining — custom designed by Prabal Gurung — offset with a casual pair of low slung, non-maternity jeans by La Ligne that skimmed just under her bump.
    — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Brands should get in before this propels the actor even further into the mainstream.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of actor
Noun
  • The Philadelphia Phillies endured another frustrating loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday night, and the fallout reached a poor performer almost immediately.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Aronow started out as a performer herself, her childhood spent singing popular jingles for Hasbro and Kidz Bop.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of performer
Noun
  • Comedian, actor, and entertainer Bill Bellamy will be presented with the Icon Award at the 2026 Whats Funny Comedy Festival, recognizing his decades of excellence and impact on stand-up comedy and entertainment.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Jelly-Schapiro, the author of a new biography of Belafonte, considers the entertainer’s distinctive combination of mainstream appeal and radical politics.
    — Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of entertainer
Noun
  • Haaland was one of the top scorers and most charismatic players at the World Cup held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, and his imposing stature and goofy sense of humor sparked a wave of creative viral videos and memes.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Those are some very complimentary terms to describe a Major League Baseball player.
    — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of player

Browse Nearby Words

act out
actress
actresses
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Cite this Entry

“Actress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actress. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on actress

Nglish: Translation of actress for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about actress

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