Thesaurus results for PLAYACT

playact

verb

Definition of playact

as in to pose

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of playact Today, Margaret would be playacting her own massacre in active shooter drills at school. — Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 1 May 2023 Trump’s modus, as ever, was to playact; his game has always been improv. — Joe Klein, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2023 Today, this dynamic lives on in the form of Roblox strip clubs, where young people — mostly, minors — playact at adult sexuality. — Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2021 Yona has it better than the locals who have agreed to playact, and likely die, in Mui’s fake new disaster. — Madeline Leung Coleman, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2020 In a twist, The Sims is now a way to playact not just an alternate life, but any life at all. — Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2020 Cloud is almost childlike, a boy playacting at being a warrior and not always nailing the part. — Julie Muncy, Wired, 10 Apr. 2020

Recent Examples of Synonyms for playact

Verb

The early harvest also poses logistical challenges in a region where grapes are traditionally picked by hand, with some workers still on summer vacation and others facing transportation delays.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Summary Chicago Cubs centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is a legitimate contender for the 2026 National League MVP, with Shohei Ohtani posing the primary threat.

— Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of pose

Verb

The most powerful of the three attack variants causes the infected Windows machine to masquerade as an iPhone.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026
Set amid the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, the tragic tale of Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) is famous for allowing real nightmares to masquerade as bloody fairytales.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 June 2026

Definition of masquerade

Verb

London — British Prime Minister Andy Burnham exchanged messages with someone impersonating White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, POLITICO reported Monday, citing four anonymous officials.

— Frank Andrews, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Phishing attempts have continued with people associated with Wiles in recent months after an incident in May 2025 when US law enforcement launched an investigation into efforts to impersonate her.

— Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of impersonate

Verb

As the Green Lantern, Hal has the power to create material items through his ring, and acts as an intergalactic space officer protecting humanity from extraterrestrial threats.

— Matt Minton, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
Nightie dresses also act as the ultimate transitional wardrobe essential.

— Laura Jackson, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of act

Verb

He was handed a wild card to play doubles at Wimbledon this year but lost in the first round.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
My model is concentrated on the last 24 rounds played, and includes driving distance, strokes gained off the tee, strokes gained around the green, strokes gained putting, and strokes gained on par 3s longer than 200 yards.

— Dennis Esser, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of play

Verb

Instead, whole grains and foods are dissembled into molecules which, with the help of artificial colorings, flavorings and gluelike emulsifiers, are heated, pounded, shaped or extruded into any food a manufacturer can dream up.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
When McKenzie asks him how much he’s contributed to the coffers of politicians, his dodging of the question is pure dissembling theater.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026

Definition of dissemble

Verb

Unafraid of sinking as low as possible at the welfare office, Dennis pretended to be recovering from a crack problem while Dee feigned intellectual disability, but the caseworker wasn’t buying it.

— Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
Patients are often described as drug seekers and accused of feigning their pain.

— Larry Seward, CBS News, 29 June 2026

Definition of feign

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“Playact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playact. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of playact

verb

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