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
Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
That incident followed several other acts of vandalism by the group.
—ABC News, 15 June 2026
That incident followed several other destructive acts of vandalism by the group.
—Brian Melley, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
These are not acts of true Knicks fans.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 15 June 2026
At the time, many people saw disasters mainly as acts of divine punishment.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026
Sheeran has a rotating core of opening acts, including Myles Smith, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, and will run his stadium tour through cities including Nashville, Atlanta, Seattle and Denver before wrapping the North American leg in November.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 14 June 2026
All four concerts will feature opening acts.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026
Some of the acts playing this year include The Strokes, Skrillex, Alabama Shakes and Modest Mouse, among dozens of others.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 15 June 2026
This is a world where strong weathering acts as a perfect thermostat.
—Scott K. Johnson, ArsTechnica, 15 June 2026
The band made substantial contributions to the work of many of the genre's pioneering artists, served as a backing band for several soul and R&B acts, and drew heavily from jazz and funk influences.
—Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
At the age of 72, Mumy still acts and does plenty of voiceover work.
—Jim Axelrod, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Believe it or not, vinegar acts as a natural bleaching agent that can greatly help restore the vibrancy to your favorite white clothes.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
This year, acts like The Jayhawks and Lyle Lovett will grace the stage.
—Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 14 June 2026
The crystal acts as a solid host that holds large numbers of thorium nuclei in place while allowing laser light to interact with them.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 13 June 2026
Before loudspeakers, fans could see live musicians, military bands and even Broadway acts at the ballpark.
—Tom Reinsfelder, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2026
Noun
At 16, Avtan bopped around her bedroom in West Hills to the digital hardcore and gabber of acts like Lolita Storm.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
That incident followed several other acts of vandalism by the group.
—ABC News, 15 June 2026
That incident followed several other destructive acts of vandalism by the group.
—Brian Melley, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
These are not acts of true Knicks fans.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 15 June 2026
At the time, many people saw disasters mainly as acts of divine punishment.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026
Sheeran has a rotating core of opening acts, including Myles Smith, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, and will run his stadium tour through cities including Nashville, Atlanta, Seattle and Denver before wrapping the North American leg in November.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 14 June 2026
All four concerts will feature opening acts.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026
Some of the acts playing this year include The Strokes, Skrillex, Alabama Shakes and Modest Mouse, among dozens of others.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Verb
The crust and top of the mantle make up another area called the lithosphere, which acts like a skin surrounding the Earth's surface.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 15 June 2026
This is a world where strong weathering acts as a perfect thermostat.
—Scott K. Johnson, ArsTechnica, 15 June 2026
The band made substantial contributions to the work of many of the genre's pioneering artists, served as a backing band for several soul and R&B acts, and drew heavily from jazz and funk influences.
—Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
At the age of 72, Mumy still acts and does plenty of voiceover work.
—Jim Axelrod, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Believe it or not, vinegar acts as a natural bleaching agent that can greatly help restore the vibrancy to your favorite white clothes.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
This year, acts like The Jayhawks and Lyle Lovett will grace the stage.
—Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 14 June 2026
The crystal acts as a solid host that holds large numbers of thorium nuclei in place while allowing laser light to interact with them.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 13 June 2026
Before loudspeakers, fans could see live musicians, military bands and even Broadway acts at the ballpark.
—Tom Reinsfelder, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acts
Noun
-
Tidy home systems, and let calm routines support freedom beautifully.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026
-
Many small colleges were designed for a more stable environment where academic programs, governance routines and operating assumptions could change gradually.—
Christopher Washington,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The program includes Missoni and tailoring atelier Saman Amel trunk shows, and multi-brand personal shopping experiences.—
Joe Bobowicz,
Vogue,
18 June 2026
-
After rape allegations on Married At First Sight UK rocked the UK television industry, there has been a growing conversation about how welfare is administered on major reality shows.—
Emma Pringle,
Deadline,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Without active enforcement, laws meant to protect people like Esther and the men on that boat remain meaningless.—
Nicole F. Roberts,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
The company has called out seven different potential federal laws, like the National Strategy for Combating Scams Act, the Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention Act, and the AI Plan Act.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
And as things like broadcast quality and stadium design become more and more homogenised, making every tournament look more and more similar, kit design is more and more important to their visual identity.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Some things — Shar Peis, linen pants, prunes — are just supposed to have wrinkles.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Jessie Mei Li, who plays the American Cola despite being resolutely English, agrees.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 June 2026
-
Since at least 2010, the father and son have sought to bring clients together by holding World Cup watch parties at new properties, particularly when Brazil plays.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
That’s not how the numbering system works.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
-
The six-minute quasi-title track works as a centerpiece, its compressed qanun (a stringed Middle Eastern instrument, played here by the acclaimed Syrian musician Maya Youssef) looping in the background as electronic pulses, foreboding pianos, and disembodied voices swirl around the mix.—
Alex Robert Ross,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Brunson is at his best when everything is at its worst, blessed with belief that seems at times desperate and determination that can feel almost manic.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
Jim had an integrity that seems rare in this world.—
Carl Kurlander,
Deadline,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Ford tucks major ideas and themes into the stunning feature, one that functions both as an intimate exploration of identity and a rallying cry for a new kind of world.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
-
This matters more on scenic itineraries than on port-heavy Mediterranean cruises, where the ship often functions as a floating hotel between destinations.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acts. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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