1
2
as in show
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 law
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 thing
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 to play
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
4
5
as in to pretend
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 to mock
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 act
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2025
Signs might include pacing, whining, excessive barking, destructive acts, accidents in the house and excessive salivation, drooling or panting.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 22 May 2025
The fiber in chia seeds also acts as a prebiotic, feeding probiotic bacteria, and may help improve obesity.22
12.
—Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
As a kid growing up in Macclesfield, Ellis loved MGMT, Vampire Weekend, Bombay Bicycle Club, and other indie acts.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2025
Signs might include pacing, whining, excessive barking, destructive acts, accidents in the house and excessive salivation, drooling or panting.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Verb
Your bedroom is up here, a large space with a powder room, built-in sofa, desk, and floor-to-ceiling windows that act as picture frames for the sublime mountain backdrop.
—Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 22 May 2025
The fiber in chia seeds also acts as a prebiotic, feeding probiotic bacteria, and may help improve obesity.22
12.
—Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
-
Those ’90s doujinshi publications corresponded with a steady turn toward more positive love stories between women, and Class-S would see a massive resurgence in popularity thanks to the long-running Maria Watches Over Us (1998-2012).—
Vrai Kaiser,
Them.,
30 May 2025
-
The bad-guy turn came because Rhodes, dressed like a discount Homelander but seemingly unwilling to make the smart move to the dark side, was running out of breathing room.—
Oliver Bateman,
The Washington Examiner,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
And thank you to everyone who not only watched the show, but took Spencer James’s mantra of ‘Dream Big.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
2 June 2025
-
In your downtime, indulge in some HGTV shows or home-improvement reels on Instagram for inspiration.—
Essence,
Essence,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
Asian Americans’ outrage over a judge’s leniency in the case — the assailants received $3,000 fines and no jail time — sparked a surge of activism seeking tougher hate crime laws nationwide.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
31 May 2025
-
Sunday marks the first batch — 83, to be exact — to become law.—
Hannah Gaskill,
Baltimore Sun,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
Viewed from within China, things had been looking up after the world’s two largest economies agreed to dramatically roll back steep tariffs – a conciliatory step in a trade war that had threatened the entire global trading system.—
Steven Jiang,
CNN Money,
29 May 2025
-
There are few things more frustrating than having your workflow derailed by glitchy or confusing software.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
Baty plays second base on days when Vientos starts at the hot corner, and Vientos gets DH days to get Baty at third.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2025
-
Both Earps and Hampton have played a very similar number of minutes and faced a very similar number of shots, but Earps’ shot-stopping has not been as strong, conceding 1.6 goals more than expected, based on the quality of shots faced.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
And then there’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who are no longer working royals and whose relationship with the rest of the family is strained at best.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
31 May 2025
-
In rubble there is always opportunity, especially for a first-time manager who has worked his whole life for this chance.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
By Sunday, that loss seemed a distant memory, though, and for good reason.—
Michael Marot,
Chicago Tribune,
26 May 2025
-
That could be the cherry on top of the sundae for the Oilers, who seem to have the Stars figured out in almost every way.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
Grasslands, like those that dominate the eastern plains of Colorado, provide important habitat for wildlife and serve as a critical food source for livestock.—
Matthew Sturchio,
The Conversation,
30 May 2025
-
All their efforts, Fils and the fans morphing into one, culminated with that Marseillaise that held up play as Munar served to stay in the match at 4-5.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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