Synonyms of acts

acts 1 of 2

noun

plural of act

1

as in routines

a performance regularly presented by an individual or group

in his nightclub act he impersonates a veritable galaxy of movie stars

Synonyms & Similar Words

• routines
• numbers
• turns
• shticks
• bits
• signatures

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

• shows
• guises
• poses
• facades
• pretenses
• masquerades
• airs
• charades
• disguises
• fronts
• performances
• semblances
• personae
• portrayals
• put-ons
• pretexts
• impersonations
• cloaks
• appearances
• deceptions
• affectations
• duplicities
• dissimulations
• deceits
• glosses
• betrayals
• guiles
• frauds
• images
• excuses
• treacheries
• double-dealings
• colors
• perfidies
• treasons
• fakeries
• double crosses
• camouflages
• infidelities
• falsities

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• candors
• sincerities
• naïvetés

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

• laws
• bills
• ordinances
• amendments
• statutes
• enactments
• prohibitions
• constitutions
• legislations
• regulations
• decrees
• edicts
• rules
• dictates
• rulings
• ground rules
• commandments
• directives
• common law
• bylaws
• commands
• restrictions
• fiats
• blue laws
• proscriptions
• canons
• capitularies
• encyclicals

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• higher laws

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

• things
• actions
• feats
• deeds
• doings
• experiences
• accomplishments
• activities
• achievements
• exploits
• works
• initiatives
• performances
• stunts
• dealings
• adventures
• steps
• enterprises
• tactics
• moves
• undertakings
• attainments
• proceedings
• procedures
• maneuvers
• operations
• handiworks
• emprises
• measures
• tricks
• coactions

acts

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of act

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

• plays
• performs
• portrays
• interprets
• depicts
• does
• represents
• impersonates
• enacts
• acts out
• renders
• pantomimes
• dramatizes
• masquerades
• imitates
• mimes
• role-plays
• mimics
• takes on
• underplays
• overplays
• playacts
• poses (as)
• hams
• apes
• overacts
• stars (in)
• clowns
• costars
• coacts

2

as in works

to produce a desired effect

the painkiller acted surprisingly quickly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• works
• performs
• operates
• reacts
• takes
• takes effect
• responds
• behaves
• results
• influences
• affects
• takes hold
• sways
• pans out
• redounds

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• backfires
• fizzles

3

as in seems

to give the impression of being

always acting helpless, just to get attention

Synonyms & Similar Words

• seems
• feels
• looks
• sounds
• appears
• makes
• comes off (as)
• resembles
• pretends
• comes across (as)
• suggests
• implies
• recalls
• dissembles
• hints
• insinuates

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

• functions
• serves
• works
• performs
• operates
• controls
• guides
• regulates
• directs
• runs
• manages
• handles
• administers
• supervises
• oversees
• carries on

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

• pretends
• simulates
• assumes
• affects
• feigns
• passes (for)
• professes
• dissembles
• plays
• makes believe
• poses
• conceals
• counterfeits
• shams
• masquerades
• puts on
• bluffs
• fakes
• forges
• imitates
• masks
• disguises
• impersonates
• dissimulates
• camouflages
• playacts
• lets on
• feints
• malingers

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

• plays
• mocks
• imitates
• portrays
• poses (as)
• impersonates
• personates
• masquerades (as)
• parodies
• mimes
• copies
• mimics
• performs
• monkeys
• apes
• travesties

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of acts

Noun

Chatbots like ChatGPT have come under scrutiny as of late for the lack of guardrails their companies have in place to prevent acts of violence or self-harm. —Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026

The state hate crime charges carry a steeper penalty, but prosecutors would have to prove his acts were hate crimes — which could be complicated by Sohail’s identification with the Jewish faith. —John Annese, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026

Iran’s acts of retaliation in several countries have been widely condemned. —ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026

Today, the parade includes more than 100 participants from floats to musical acts to antique cars and more. —Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 1 Mar. 2026

These acts of naming, monumentalizing, and commemorating functioned at multiple scales as grassroots recognition, state propaganda, and artistic homage. —Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026

The silicon underneath acts as the gate, which switches the current on or off. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Mar. 2026

Among the regime’s very first acts was to back a violent takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran, holding dozens of American hostages for 444 days. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2026

Salinas was convicted in June 2007 of lewd or lascivious acts on a minor, according to the criminal complaint. —City News Service, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026

Verb

China is likely to use US military intervention in Iran to reinforce its messaging, particularly to countries in the Global South, that Washington acts as a hegemonic power, while Beijing presents itself as a champion of non-interference. —John Liu, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026

My sister always acts like the dish is a hostess gift. —Judith Martin, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026

View photos from the scene on Sunday, featuring the diverse food vendors, local music acts, and the crowds gathered in downtown Delray Beach. —Joe Cavaretta, Sun Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2026

Protect cabinets with polish or wax that acts as a barrier to the greasy film. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026

Harwood House Restaurant acts as a gathering place for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as does Quinn’s Tavern, a more casual eatery that also has a pool table, gaming machines, and 12 beers on tap. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026

That expansion acts almost like scaffolding, encouraging strands to stand taller. —Michelle Rostamian, Allure, 27 Feb. 2026

Tenneco provides component manufacturing and thermal management, and Carnival Maritime acts as an associated partner representing the requirements of the cruise industry. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Feb. 2026

Student input essential As student trustee, Lopez serves as the official student representative on the district’s Board of Trustees and acts as a bridge between students and district governance. —Santa Ana College, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026