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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of acts
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
What kinds of acts still move you?
—Joelle Goldstein, USA Today, 1 June 2026
When looking at musical acts – either those who have passed on or those that are no longer together – the hip-hop hitmaker joins both Prince and the Beatles in this incredible showing.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Opening acts at various stops include Brooks & Dunn, HARDY, Ella Langley, Thomas Rhett, Gavin Adcock, Flatland Cavalry, Hudson Westbrook, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Zach John King, Vincent Mason and Blake Whiten.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Her case, within a nexus of other acts of disrespect, provoked the ire of numerous Indigenous Americans, including one of the better-known of the eighteenth century, Pontiac, an Odawa leader who organized resistance against the British.
—Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
But its knurled Smart Dial acts as a scroll wheel for books, web pages, and other content – offering a much more intuitive way to read with one hand.
—New Atlas, 25 May 2026
Speakers urged residents to honor Memorial Day by remembering those who’ve lost their lives and committing to acts of service in their memory.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 25 May 2026
Scholars who study rhetoric and extremism say the country’s political language has grown more aggressive and can trigger violent acts.
—Cleve R. Wootson Jr, Washington Post, 25 May 2026
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026
Within this framework, physiological state acts as the lens through which environmental inputs are processed, shaping how situations are interpreted and which behaviors become accessible under different conditions.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Corporate bosses and some regulators have long despised the practice of rooting for share prices to fall, but defenders say short selling creates an incentive to expose wrongdoing and acts as a check on increasingly passive stock markets.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 2 June 2026
Is this your Grand Old Party, or is Graham correct that it’s ruled by one man who acts like a king?
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026
But here, the dragon acts as a visible front-end UI or avatar for the agentic output.
—John Burek, PC Magazine, 1 June 2026
In the meantime, Green Lady is moving its staff and music acts to its sister concept, Black Dolphin, which is next door.
—Jenna Thompson
june 1, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2026
Through this Google Ads integration, PicCopilot acts as marketing middleware that connects the pipeline from strategy to optimization, helping smaller merchants use technology to increase sales.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
In fragmented environments, that common reference point acts as connective tissue.
—Tony Beal, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Noun
The acts played the same local haunts and campus functions before merging into a supergroup that would alter the course of modern music history.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
What kinds of acts still move you?
—Joelle Goldstein, USA Today, 1 June 2026
When looking at musical acts – either those who have passed on or those that are no longer together – the hip-hop hitmaker joins both Prince and the Beatles in this incredible showing.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Opening acts at various stops include Brooks & Dunn, HARDY, Ella Langley, Thomas Rhett, Gavin Adcock, Flatland Cavalry, Hudson Westbrook, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Zach John King, Vincent Mason and Blake Whiten.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Her case, within a nexus of other acts of disrespect, provoked the ire of numerous Indigenous Americans, including one of the better-known of the eighteenth century, Pontiac, an Odawa leader who organized resistance against the British.
—Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
But its knurled Smart Dial acts as a scroll wheel for books, web pages, and other content – offering a much more intuitive way to read with one hand.
—New Atlas, 25 May 2026
Speakers urged residents to honor Memorial Day by remembering those who’ve lost their lives and committing to acts of service in their memory.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 25 May 2026
Scholars who study rhetoric and extremism say the country’s political language has grown more aggressive and can trigger violent acts.
—Cleve R. Wootson Jr, Washington Post, 25 May 2026
Verb
One of the key components is the VDM 80 actuator joint, a compact but powerful motor that acts as the robot’s muscles.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026
Within this framework, physiological state acts as the lens through which environmental inputs are processed, shaping how situations are interpreted and which behaviors become accessible under different conditions.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Corporate bosses and some regulators have long despised the practice of rooting for share prices to fall, but defenders say short selling creates an incentive to expose wrongdoing and acts as a check on increasingly passive stock markets.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 2 June 2026
Is this your Grand Old Party, or is Graham correct that it’s ruled by one man who acts like a king?
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026
But here, the dragon acts as a visible front-end UI or avatar for the agentic output.
—John Burek, PC Magazine, 1 June 2026
In the meantime, Green Lady is moving its staff and music acts to its sister concept, Black Dolphin, which is next door.
—Jenna Thompson
june 1, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2026
Through this Google Ads integration, PicCopilot acts as marketing middleware that connects the pipeline from strategy to optimization, helping smaller merchants use technology to increase sales.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
In fragmented environments, that common reference point acts as connective tissue.
—Tony Beal, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acts
Noun
-
Stepping away from our usual routines in a different setting, far from our commitments and deadlines, can give us a sense of calm, detachment, and tranquility.—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
-
For many people, improving metabolic health does not require expensive wellness products or complicated routines.—
Ezekiel J. Emanuel,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Indian benchmark indices, in sharp contrast, are the only ones in the red, falling over 10%, data from LSEG shows.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
With its focus on discovering distinctive talent, MFW includes runway shows, as well as market and showroom, where collections can be directly evaluated by buyers – formats that can support sales activity.—
Malana VanTyler,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The policies proposed by the candidates range from eliminating key environmental laws to providing free childcare and college tuition.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
But the way telemedicine is practiced varies widely, and state laws largely dictate rules that telehealth providers must follow.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Jonathan liked to drop in on patients, ask how things were going.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Kenny is going through her things and counts 26 black T-shirts.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
At sunset its Amina Muaddi slingbacks, when honeymooners head to the bar to make the most of the martini shots while a could-be-a-model DJ plays cool and breezy beats in a midriff-bearing top.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
-
And the company’s focus on wellness plays well in a state that was at the center of the health food movement in the 1960s and 1970s.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The villa layout works great for families needing space.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Churning out lazy, uninspired movies no longer works, even if they're attached to a previously important brand name.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Squandering his Senate seniority and experience at this time, combined with his decision to appoint a newbie to replace him, should that opportunity arise, seems misguided at best and selfish at worst.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
The soaring quality of the orchestra and the delectable company of voices pay exhilarating homage to a singular artist, who seems right at home at the Pantages.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Below, Boston talks to Deadline about her unique writing process, the thematic heart of the series and why the show’s shocking finale ultimately functions as a breakup story.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
-
Today’s press is largely well-informed and balanced, and has learned how the market now functions differently from the past.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acts. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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