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.
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Recent Examples of acts
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Ware also noted that the CSIS study left off incidents that others might call acts of left-wing terrorism.
—NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
These are just a few of the nefarious acts by Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025
This sustained attack on our cultural institutions creates the conditions for overt acts of censorship.
—Andrew Weinstein, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Manipulation, threats, acts of physical and psychological violence (to oneself and others), as well as actual body snatching, were all part of Cipher’s brand while Linklater embodied Gen V’s season two big bad.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Sometimes, Death in the Family seems to be saying that our attempt to assign deeper meanings to acts of violence obfuscates how mean or petty human nature can be.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Though the push first gained momentum in 2023, Blackburn introduced a series of acts focused on investigating foreign influence in late July this year.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2025
The Final Finale is the result of a joint effort between Bleecker Street, the distributor of The End Continues and a recent This Is Spinal Tap theatrical re-release, and Vertigo Live, which has produced concert films for acts like Duran Duran and Billy Idol.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Ratti is part of the third generation running the family business, serving as chief executive officer of the retailer, flanked by her mother Silvana, who acts as president of the company.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
In addition to Dickerson and Dubois, Face the Nation moderator Margaret Brennan regularly leads coverage from Washington during major political moments, and WCBS-TV's Lonnie Quinn acts as the chief weather anchor.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Arguably the most well-known of these projects is the 700-acre Hermitage Farm in Oldham County, which acts as a hub for agritourism and is home to the popular Barn8 restaurant.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
For Findikoglu, whose designs interrogate traditional modes of femininity and unspools them into powerfully sensually looks, hair acts as armor and invitation into her gothic underworld.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
Who just happen to look like an amalgamation of the present-day rock acts Greta Van Fleet and Rival Sons.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2025
The rockers are added to the lineup of the support acts for AC/DC’s stadium concerts this December in Perth, produced by TEG Van Egmond.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2025
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, has opposed bringing back the House until the Senate acts.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
It will be performed in two acts with an intermission.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Ware also noted that the CSIS study left off incidents that others might call acts of left-wing terrorism.
—NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
These are just a few of the nefarious acts by Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025
This sustained attack on our cultural institutions creates the conditions for overt acts of censorship.
—Andrew Weinstein, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Manipulation, threats, acts of physical and psychological violence (to oneself and others), as well as actual body snatching, were all part of Cipher’s brand while Linklater embodied Gen V’s season two big bad.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Sometimes, Death in the Family seems to be saying that our attempt to assign deeper meanings to acts of violence obfuscates how mean or petty human nature can be.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Though the push first gained momentum in 2023, Blackburn introduced a series of acts focused on investigating foreign influence in late July this year.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2025
The Final Finale is the result of a joint effort between Bleecker Street, the distributor of The End Continues and a recent This Is Spinal Tap theatrical re-release, and Vertigo Live, which has produced concert films for acts like Duran Duran and Billy Idol.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
This includes Space Delta 18, which acts as the National Space Intelligence Center; and Space Delta 7, which is the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance division of Space Force.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Ratti is part of the third generation running the family business, serving as chief executive officer of the retailer, flanked by her mother Silvana, who acts as president of the company.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
In addition to Dickerson and Dubois, Face the Nation moderator Margaret Brennan regularly leads coverage from Washington during major political moments, and WCBS-TV's Lonnie Quinn acts as the chief weather anchor.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Arguably the most well-known of these projects is the 700-acre Hermitage Farm in Oldham County, which acts as a hub for agritourism and is home to the popular Barn8 restaurant.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
For Findikoglu, whose designs interrogate traditional modes of femininity and unspools them into powerfully sensually looks, hair acts as armor and invitation into her gothic underworld.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
Who just happen to look like an amalgamation of the present-day rock acts Greta Van Fleet and Rival Sons.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2025
The rockers are added to the lineup of the support acts for AC/DC’s stadium concerts this December in Perth, produced by TEG Van Egmond.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2025
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, has opposed bringing back the House until the Senate acts.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acts
Noun
-
Sevilla in particular excelled at this during their 4-1 win this month as the map below shows.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Sarah McLachlan, please call The New Theatre & Restaurant in Overland Park, where shows run for weeks at a time, has provided an endless supply of actors to chat with.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Cameron Winklevoss The cofounder of crypto platform Gemini and early Bitcoin billionaire is a consistent GOP donor lobbying for clear crypto laws.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Due to the state's open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner.—
Steven Martinez,
jsonline.com,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Aneurysms form when a weak spot develops in a blood vessel wall, often due to things like high blood pressure, smoking, or genetics.—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Health,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Meghan’s travel formula is warm, comfortable, and practical for holiday getaways, which is why now is a good time to copy her pieces before things really get busy.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Olivia Swann Swann plays NCIS Special Agent Captain Michelle Mackey on the international spinoff.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
On Fridays patrons can enjoy light bites while a DJ plays a mix of Caribbean sounds; Saturdays they are treated to live music, and Sundays offer wellness with morning yoga, an afternoon drum class and evening jazz.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
They are being told by their bosses what works based on data and research.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Carrie Preston has returned to reprise her beloved role as Elsbeth Tascioni, the quirky yet brilliant attorney who works alongside the New York Police Department to help solve crimes.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Aydın had purportedly pocketed some $80 million of it…and seems to have burned through all of it in just three years.—
Moisés Naím,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Despite these issues, Riddle's name recognition continues to secure him bookings on the independent circuit and with promotions like MLW, even as a return to WWE seems increasingly unlikely.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Here, Landau functions more as an emotional keystone.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
23 Oct. 2025
-
When Apple launched Apple TV+, the name Apple TV had already been taken by its connected TV box, which functions similar to a Roku or Apple Fire TV device, providing access to other streaming services.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the finale, Brandis pretends not to see the million-dollar stash in Maeve's possession and zips the bag back up, looking up as birds sing.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
-
After encountering an old friend, Colette, embarrassed about her friend’s success compared to her own, pretends to be a customer at the DMV instead of an employee.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acts. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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