1
2
as in shows
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
was putting on an act when she said she didn't mind being left out of the outing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in laws
a rule of conduct or action laid down by a governing authority and especially a legislature
the Americans with Disabilities Act requires public buildings to have wheelchair access
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in things
something done by someone
it's acts such as this—lying about having to work late—that make me feel like I can't trust you
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in plays
to present a portrayal or performance of
a local student acted the part of Tiny Tim in our theater company's production of A Christmas Carol
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in seems
to give the impression of being
always acting helpless, just to get attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in functions
to have a certain purpose
the tail feathers of woodpeckers act as props while the birds excavate tree trunks for insects
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in pretends
to present a false appearance of
if you act confident long enough, you'll begin to actually feel it
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in mocks
to pretend to be (what one is not) in appearance or behavior
someone who is willing to act the helpless little thing when she wants attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 acts
Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 13 Jan. 2026
For her, the small acts help process loss and offer hope to others returning to empty lots.
—Sarah Alegre, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Kelly also argued that his criticisms of Hegseth are at the core of the Constitution's Speech or Debate Clause, which provides immunity to lawmakers from criminal prosecutions or civil lawsuits that stem from legislative acts.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
The three-week case centers on the Myanmar authorities’ 2019 offensive against the Rohingya population, in which hundreds of thousands were driven into neighbouring Bangladesh alongside reports of mass killings, rapes, and other acts of violence.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 12 Jan. 2026
The misrepresentation of the acts of Jan 6, 2021, and the recent death of Renee Nicole Goode in Minneapolis highlight the illusion of truth and its perils to society.
—Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
In those conflicts, as in earlier wars, women served under fire and were recognized for acts of combat valor.
—Steven Beynon, ABC News, 12 Jan. 2026
When California signals that even the most extreme acts of school violence may eventually be reconsidered and reduced, deterrence erodes — and schools become collateral damage in the process.
—Tracie Thill, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Cocker, Outkast, Salt-N-Pepa, Soundgarden, The White Stripes, Warren Zevon and several other musical acts have officially been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
Olivia Dubyak, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
Best in Show at The Dolby - Check out individual shows from some of the top touring acts in comedy at one of LA’s most iconic venues.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
In the spring of 2018, Sageman-Furnas began a computer search for a special type of surface — one that could be transformed into a Bonnet pair, akin to how a sourdough starter acts as a base for whipping up different kinds of bread.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 20 Jan. 2026
More ingredient call-outs include lupine protein, which has anti-aging properties, glycerin, which acts as a nourishing emollient, and kaolin, which soaks up and controls oil production.
—Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
Improves Digestibility and Gut Health Sweet potatoes contain resistant starch, a form of carbohydrate that acts like fiber, feeding good bacteria in the large intestine.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 20 Jan. 2026
This structure forms the inner portion of the dusty torus and acts as the primary reservoir funneling material inward to feed the black hole, the study finds.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Additionally, hometown hero and skier Gus Kenworthy acts as host for the entire week, which features events like the blow-out White Party, a drag and burlesque show with both national and local talent, and the Glitter Ball where anything that sparkles is in fashion.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 13 Jan. 2026
Every month of uncertainty acts as a silent tax on competitiveness, eroding the confidence that keeps investment flowing through places like San Diego, Monterrey and Toronto.
—Diego Marroquin Bitar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
That led the 2025 event to take place at Blackbox Theater and The Pine, with more than 17 musical acts, food trucks, vendors and more spread across the two sites.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 13 Jan. 2026
For her, the small acts help process loss and offer hope to others returning to empty lots.
—Sarah Alegre, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Kelly also argued that his criticisms of Hegseth are at the core of the Constitution's Speech or Debate Clause, which provides immunity to lawmakers from criminal prosecutions or civil lawsuits that stem from legislative acts.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
The three-week case centers on the Myanmar authorities’ 2019 offensive against the Rohingya population, in which hundreds of thousands were driven into neighbouring Bangladesh alongside reports of mass killings, rapes, and other acts of violence.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 12 Jan. 2026
The misrepresentation of the acts of Jan 6, 2021, and the recent death of Renee Nicole Goode in Minneapolis highlight the illusion of truth and its perils to society.
—Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
In those conflicts, as in earlier wars, women served under fire and were recognized for acts of combat valor.
—Steven Beynon, ABC News, 12 Jan. 2026
When California signals that even the most extreme acts of school violence may eventually be reconsidered and reduced, deterrence erodes — and schools become collateral damage in the process.
—Tracie Thill, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Cocker, Outkast, Salt-N-Pepa, Soundgarden, The White Stripes, Warren Zevon and several other musical acts have officially been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
This one is nice and lightweight and acts more as an accessory, in my opinion.
—Olivia Dubyak, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
Best in Show at The Dolby - Check out individual shows from some of the top touring acts in comedy at one of LA’s most iconic venues.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
In the spring of 2018, Sageman-Furnas began a computer search for a special type of surface — one that could be transformed into a Bonnet pair, akin to how a sourdough starter acts as a base for whipping up different kinds of bread.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 20 Jan. 2026
More ingredient call-outs include lupine protein, which has anti-aging properties, glycerin, which acts as a nourishing emollient, and kaolin, which soaks up and controls oil production.
—Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
Improves Digestibility and Gut Health Sweet potatoes contain resistant starch, a form of carbohydrate that acts like fiber, feeding good bacteria in the large intestine.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 20 Jan. 2026
This structure forms the inner portion of the dusty torus and acts as the primary reservoir funneling material inward to feed the black hole, the study finds.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Additionally, hometown hero and skier Gus Kenworthy acts as host for the entire week, which features events like the blow-out White Party, a drag and burlesque show with both national and local talent, and the Glitter Ball where anything that sparkles is in fashion.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 13 Jan. 2026
Every month of uncertainty acts as a silent tax on competitiveness, eroding the confidence that keeps investment flowing through places like San Diego, Monterrey and Toronto.
—Diego Marroquin Bitar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acts
Noun
-
The eight-to-10-minute routines, which are on YouTube, are inspired by Barilla’s Protein+ pasta shapes, featuring moves such as penne plié squats, rotini spiral planks and spaghetti curls.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Katie Berry is a cleaning expert with 30 years of household management experience and 12 years of writing about cleaning methods and routines for Housewife How-Tos.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Along the way, the funny guys have also appeared in several TV shows and movies, including their own, Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, in 2006.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Jan. 2026
-
He was then run over by a patrol vehicle, video shows.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
State Attorney General Dana Nessel is suing four big oil companies under antitrust laws alleging a decades-long conspiracy to undermine the adoption of renewable energy and electric vehicles that has led Michiganders to face higher energy costs and greater exposure to climate change.—
JC Reindl,
Freep.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Assessors statewide operate under the same laws and consistency matters.—
Jeffrey Prang,
Daily News,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The real-life regulations on what color to paint your house, how short to cut your grass, and exactly where to put your garbage can on trash day make this suburb ripe for an outsider and her teenage daughter to come along and shake things up.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The Wolverines had a tough time getting things going against the high-pressure Sierra Canyon defense.—
Jack Gillespie,
Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As Cuenca plays a ball to the feet of his striker, Wilson dashes in the other direction, delaying Ibrahima Konate’s forward jump because the centre-back knows Bradley is unable to track both him and Robinson at the same time.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In the dark romantic comedy-drama, True Blood alum Skarsgård, 49, plays tough biker Ray, who enters into a dominant-submissive relationship with Colin (Melling), a shy and directionless man who sings in a barbershop quartet.—
Eric Andersson,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
These Hokas are the rare travel shoe that works across all ages, activity levels, and destinations.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The company works closely with mental health professionals to ensure its technology aligns with clinical practice rather than replacing it.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Victor also seems like he's seen better days.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The beloved character has been the Chief of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health for years, but the emotional weight from the job seems to be taking a serious toll on him.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Beyond theory, the setup also functions as an ultra-sensitive force sensor.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The organization still functions.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acts. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
