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
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Recent Examples of acts
Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2026
More than 30 of Africa's 54 countries criminalize homosexual acts.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Justin’s headlining set was the literal main event of the day, but lots of other acts got to have some fun.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
Some of his acts are dangerous or terrifying.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
The event, which has been taking place since 1999, has become the place to see some of the biggest pop music acts of the year, as well as to be seen doing so in your festival best.
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
Bieber’s return follows a period of immense change for one of the world’s biggest pop acts over the past several years.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 12 Apr. 2026
My acts prove — free press in Cuba.
—NBC news, 12 Apr. 2026
Orbán’s aides argued that Tisza agents were preparing to commit acts of violence—warnings that Tisza representatives decried as a pretext for a government crackdown.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2026
Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2026
On his first solo album in a decade, the New Orleans legend acts his age.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 7 Apr. 2026
The Bruins have a leadership council that acts as a go-between for the players and coaches every season.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Kennedy reportedly shared that Oz’s memo effectively acts like a federal mandate, as hospitals may need to follow the dietary guidelines to maintain funding.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Food to feed the goats is available, and a little shop acts as the goats’ personal lemonade stand, filled with cheeses, soaps and lotions made from their bounty.
—Nora Heston Tarte, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
His company Effect Partners acts as sustainability director for the band U2, has launched green initiatives for Bon Iver and created One Sweet Whirled, a Dave Matthews Band ice cream flavor at Ben & Jerry’s that accompanied an early global warming campaign in 2002.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026
More country acts will be filling the state’s outdoor venues in coming months as the weather heats up.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Gas prices could conceivably hit record levels of $5 per gallon if nobody acts to clear the bottleneck in Strait of Hormuz, De Haan said.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
Prior to the show, the fans even screamed each time the big screens showed commercials for the other acts on the JYP roster.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2026
More than 30 of Africa's 54 countries criminalize homosexual acts.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Justin’s headlining set was the literal main event of the day, but lots of other acts got to have some fun.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
Some of his acts are dangerous or terrifying.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
The event, which has been taking place since 1999, has become the place to see some of the biggest pop music acts of the year, as well as to be seen doing so in your festival best.
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
Bieber’s return follows a period of immense change for one of the world’s biggest pop acts over the past several years.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 12 Apr. 2026
My acts prove — free press in Cuba.
—NBC news, 12 Apr. 2026
Orbán’s aides argued that Tisza agents were preparing to commit acts of violence—warnings that Tisza representatives decried as a pretext for a government crackdown.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
The new Document Validation tool acts as an intelligent checkpoint, now available to the more than 160,000 companies using CargoX across 190 countries.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2026
On his first solo album in a decade, the New Orleans legend acts his age.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 7 Apr. 2026
The Bruins have a leadership council that acts as a go-between for the players and coaches every season.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Kennedy reportedly shared that Oz’s memo effectively acts like a federal mandate, as hospitals may need to follow the dietary guidelines to maintain funding.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Food to feed the goats is available, and a little shop acts as the goats’ personal lemonade stand, filled with cheeses, soaps and lotions made from their bounty.
—Nora Heston Tarte, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
His company Effect Partners acts as sustainability director for the band U2, has launched green initiatives for Bon Iver and created One Sweet Whirled, a Dave Matthews Band ice cream flavor at Ben & Jerry’s that accompanied an early global warming campaign in 2002.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026
More country acts will be filling the state’s outdoor venues in coming months as the weather heats up.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Gas prices could conceivably hit record levels of $5 per gallon if nobody acts to clear the bottleneck in Strait of Hormuz, De Haan said.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acts
Noun
-
Families of the district’s more than 390,000 students are reeling with the prospect of life routines thrown into days of uncertainty.—
Nicole Macias Garibay,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
So don't forget to eat right, exercise and maintain beneficial routines.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Glaciers all over the world -- especially in Antarctica -- are also retreating at a rapid pace, recent research shows.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
On other podcast apps, creators can enable access to their shows via a private RSS link.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The ban does not apply in Macao and Hong Kong — where the BTS tour lands in 2027 — because both are special regions in China with their own governments and laws.—
Ken Moritsugu,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
-
This drop is partly the result of many smoking laws enacted in the past 50 years.—
Marie Helweg-Larsen,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And once on the other side of those things, Christy Martin began living a different kind of double life.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The implication is that she got distracted and failed to notice the most important things.—
Brandy Jensen,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Clark, 24, who plays guard for the Indiana Fever, showed her support via a brief message in the post’s comments section.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Romvari herself grew up on an island in British Columbia, and the natural landscape plays a significant role in her movie’s textures and tones.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While the character details of many of the new cast members are unclear, Oscar nominee Sharon Stone is playing a showrunner whom Lexi (Maude Apatow) works for, according to creator Sam Levinson.—
Alyssa Davis,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
-
As soft as pajamas yet lovely enough to wear out on the town (or around the ship), the micro modal fabric of these Saint Haven pants drapes elegantly, resists wrinkles, and has a relaxed fit that works equally well at a harbor-side bar or a breezy dinner ashore.—
Amanda Eyre Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Until now, there seems to be no way to answer this question.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Zoschak said the stereotypical TCC member was a younger teenage girl, just like Audree, though there were many other people and the gender balance seems to be roughly 50-50.—
Meena Duerson,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Midi-length dresses naturally hit shorter on petite frames, so what's designed as a midi often functions more like a maxi—ideal if you've been burned by dragging hemlines before.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The Tripoli is an amphibious assault ship that functions essentially as a small aircraft carrier.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acts. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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