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
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 2 Nov. 2025
What’s left acts as a protective stencil for later steps, like etching the metal or silicon.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2025
All are dressed in period garb — Clarkson in a gorgeous gown and her band, My Band Y’all, led by musical director and keyboardist Jason Halbert, in formal white dinner jackets typical of musical acts at the time.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
The Emerging Artists chart has become a home for these budding acts, with several landing on various rankings the last few weeks.
—Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025
These rules are set to protect public health, ensure human remains are treated respectfully and prevent disrespectful acts on cemetery grounds.
—Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2025
The plea—legally impossible but symbolically potent—highlights the limits of judicial authority over prison placements, the strain of the mental health crises inside the federal system, and the uneasy intersection between acts of political violence and debates about personal autonomy at life’s end.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
That love has persisted across the decades, even as his band, Rush, became one of the biggest acts in the world.
—Alison Weinflash, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
It will be performed in two acts with an intermission.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2025
The apple's natural fiber acts as a gentle abrasive, while the boost in saliva helps wash away lingering sugars.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
The evening was thee highlight of a weekend spent on the luxe boardwalk resort venue, that boasts acts ranging from Ross and Smokey Robinson to John Legend and Lenny Kravitz.
—Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Unless Congress acts, families could pay hundreds more every month next year just to keep the same coverage.
—Linda Goler Blount, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
But those enhancements, which were extended in 2022, will expire at the end of 2025 unless Congress acts.
—Michelle Andrews, NPR, 31 Oct. 2025
If the tenant was on a month-to-month lease, the official death notice acts as the 30-day notice of the lease’s termination.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
The shade acts as a neutral and can be styled easily with a variety of skirts, pants, and dresses.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
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
Noun
The compromise speaks to Lee’s pragmatic approach to breaking South Korean acts into the American mainstream — a three-decade quest that often required him to bend but never break his vision.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 2 Nov. 2025
What’s left acts as a protective stencil for later steps, like etching the metal or silicon.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2025
All are dressed in period garb — Clarkson in a gorgeous gown and her band, My Band Y’all, led by musical director and keyboardist Jason Halbert, in formal white dinner jackets typical of musical acts at the time.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
The Emerging Artists chart has become a home for these budding acts, with several landing on various rankings the last few weeks.
—Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025
These rules are set to protect public health, ensure human remains are treated respectfully and prevent disrespectful acts on cemetery grounds.
—Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2025
The plea—legally impossible but symbolically potent—highlights the limits of judicial authority over prison placements, the strain of the mental health crises inside the federal system, and the uneasy intersection between acts of political violence and debates about personal autonomy at life’s end.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
That love has persisted across the decades, even as his band, Rush, became one of the biggest acts in the world.
—Alison Weinflash, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
It will be performed in two acts with an intermission.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
Dan also acts as a mentor to foster kittens, teaching them how to play and socialize.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2025
The apple's natural fiber acts as a gentle abrasive, while the boost in saliva helps wash away lingering sugars.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
The evening was thee highlight of a weekend spent on the luxe boardwalk resort venue, that boasts acts ranging from Ross and Smokey Robinson to John Legend and Lenny Kravitz.
—Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Unless Congress acts, families could pay hundreds more every month next year just to keep the same coverage.
—Linda Goler Blount, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
But those enhancements, which were extended in 2022, will expire at the end of 2025 unless Congress acts.
—Michelle Andrews, NPR, 31 Oct. 2025
If the tenant was on a month-to-month lease, the official death notice acts as the 30-day notice of the lease’s termination.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
The shade acts as a neutral and can be styled easily with a variety of skirts, pants, and dresses.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acts
Noun
-
Stick with familiar bedtime routines like bath, story and lights out, even if the bedtime is temporarily off.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
That shift in focus led Clark to design short, predictable sessions that respect toddlers’ routines, rhythms, and attention spans while giving them consistent positive exposure to movement.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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
-
The president’s comments come after his administration expanded a federal program that deputizes local police to enforce immigration laws, signing up nearly 16,000 officers across 40 states as part of an effort to boost deportations, according to data reviewed by Bloomberg News.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Trump is setting rates by bypassing laws that require a more detailed process for imposing tariffs in limited circumstances.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The 53-year-old Dane is many things that Ten Hag is not.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
However, there are signs that things could be changing, and quickly.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That sensibility is countered by Dina’s, who plays the romantic foil to Liberty’s pessimist.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The score was composed by Nitin Sawney and performed by a 60-piece orchestra, while a 200-strong cast plays over 500 characters across 198 chapters and 700-plus scenes.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The fundraiser benefits Hamilton's CARES Foundation, an organization that works with cancer research centers and emphasizes finding cures that prevent long-term harm to patients.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The chip that works this optical magic is not much to see.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Given our recent history, that seems like a risky thing to do.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
But the secret underground cave that seems like the perfect place to be alone is already occupied by another fuzzy, lonely creature named Mi.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The multipurpose space currently functions as a gym, but could also be used as a spa or additional entertaining area.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
27 Oct. 2025
-
What remains of it functions less as system, more as a network of last resorts.—
Anna Halford,
Time,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acts. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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