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
Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2025
This law was passed in 1798 as part of the Alien and Sedition Acts, a suite of highly partisan statutes designed to target immigrants under the guise of national security.
—Juan Vargas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2025
His current exhibition, A Riot In Three Acts is currently on tour and features a new suite of music for string quartet, A Requiem for the Dispossessed, and performed by the Manchester Camerata.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 May 2025
His current exhibition, A Riot In Three Acts, is currently on tour and features a new suite of music for string quartet, A Requiem for the Dispossessed, and performed by the Manchester Camerata.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 5 May 2025
The movie will be based on the book The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts, written by Farley's brother Tom with Tanner Colby.
—Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 2 May 2025
Cardinal Battista will then extend the First Reading, a reading from the Acts of the Apostles, to the congregation of worshipers.
—Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
American Kielce Gussie, 28, did the first reading in English -- several verses from the Acts of the Apostles.
—Sean Keane, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2025
Now One of Billboard’s Most Successful Acts With Beacon Theatre entering both the Vinyl Albums and Top Album Sales rankings, the Grateful Dead adds to what’s already an almost absurdly long list of appearances.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025
The exclusive releases draw in large crowds, help attract new customers who may return throughout the year, and acts as a boost between the holiday shopping season.
—Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2025
And here’s a look at the must-see Latino acts at this year’s festive.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Because of its price sensitivity and short investment horizon, shale acts as a global marginal producer.
—Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Even in the closest relationships, personal space acts as oxygen for individuality.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
This glowing cloud of gas and dust acts as a stellar nursery, where new stars are born.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 31 Mar. 2025
That trust acts like a discount.
—Ian Shepherd, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
That last one, which stalks and growls realistically thanks to a trio of stunningly talented puppeteers, acts as both antagonist and doppelgänger to Pi.
—John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
One biblical mention of purple dye occurs in Acts 16:14, which describes a female merchant.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2025
This law was passed in 1798 as part of the Alien and Sedition Acts, a suite of highly partisan statutes designed to target immigrants under the guise of national security.
—Juan Vargas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2025
His current exhibition, A Riot In Three Acts is currently on tour and features a new suite of music for string quartet, A Requiem for the Dispossessed, and performed by the Manchester Camerata.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 May 2025
His current exhibition, A Riot In Three Acts, is currently on tour and features a new suite of music for string quartet, A Requiem for the Dispossessed, and performed by the Manchester Camerata.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 5 May 2025
The movie will be based on the book The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts, written by Farley's brother Tom with Tanner Colby.
—Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 2 May 2025
Cardinal Battista will then extend the First Reading, a reading from the Acts of the Apostles, to the congregation of worshipers.
—Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
American Kielce Gussie, 28, did the first reading in English -- several verses from the Acts of the Apostles.
—Sean Keane, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2025
Now One of Billboard’s Most Successful Acts With Beacon Theatre entering both the Vinyl Albums and Top Album Sales rankings, the Grateful Dead adds to what’s already an almost absurdly long list of appearances.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
Ready for a robot that not only looks human but also acts and reacts like one, expressing emotions like shyness, excitement or friendliness?
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025
The exclusive releases draw in large crowds, help attract new customers who may return throughout the year, and acts as a boost between the holiday shopping season.
—Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2025
And here’s a look at the must-see Latino acts at this year’s festive.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Because of its price sensitivity and short investment horizon, shale acts as a global marginal producer.
—Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Even in the closest relationships, personal space acts as oxygen for individuality.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
This glowing cloud of gas and dust acts as a stellar nursery, where new stars are born.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 31 Mar. 2025
That trust acts like a discount.
—Ian Shepherd, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
That last one, which stalks and growls realistically thanks to a trio of stunningly talented puppeteers, acts as both antagonist and doppelgänger to Pi.
—John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acts
Noun
-
But subtle little things — developments unlikely to make headlines – can also be big winners.—
Dewayne Bevil,
Orlando Sentinel,
28 Dec. 2024
-
But now things are getting even more messy.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Infused with cica, green tea, sunflower seed oil, and vitamin E to soothe and protect the skin barrier, the formula works for people of all skin types.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
30 Nov. 2024
-
This handheld vacuum has 69,000 five-star ratings, works on carpet, hardwood, and tile floors, and weighs less than 3 pounds.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
30 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Given Arsenal’s qualification for the Champions League quarter-finals, the decision to sell to a potential competition rival seems unlikely.—
Jessy Parker Humphreys,
The Athletic,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Despite being a shameless queue jumper who seems to slide through ski lift crowds like water, she's clearly respected and adored by countless people across the valleys.—
Toby Skinner,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Pausing as a Leadership Practice Leaders can incorporate pauses into their routines to unlock their full potential.—
Scott Hutcheson,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Sustainability And Comfort Trends Josh Christian, CEO of the Home Technology Association, anticipates significant advances in climate control by the technology learning our preferences and daily routines over time.—
Jamie Gold,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The program helps low-income households pay utility bills.—
Willie Wilson,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Fortunately, there are other bills this legislative session that are promising.—
Eshan Dosani,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The news outlet reported that Board Vice President Jon Hartman announced the board would meet again on Monday night to discuss terminating Martin’s contract and placing her on administrative leave among other actions.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Thanks to hundreds of hours of interview footage, visitors can sit down and ask questions of two recipients and learn the details of their lives and combat actions.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The video shows soldiers shooting, apparently randomly, while another performs the customary reading of the Book of Esther.—
Samy Magdy,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2025
-
The county performs about 14,000 inspections annually, with 97% of establishments passing, spokesman Ken Casparis previously told The Sacramento Bee.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacramento Bee,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Ant operates Alipay, one of the two major apps for mobile payments in China.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2025
-
In essence, Nvidia treats the entire data center as the new unit of compute, interconnecting chips, servers and racks so tightly that an AI factory operates as a single colossal supercomputer.—
Janakiram MSV,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acts. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share