as in pretense
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
it was clear to her friends that her reaction to the news was pure playacting
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Recent Examples of playacting
Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
Hence the infamous playacting subplot in her 1814 novel Mansfield Park, a novel written when Austen was at her professional peak.
—Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playacting
Noun
-
In the movie, members of the narcotics unit face suspicion for allegedly stealing some of the money under false pretenses and for their own benefit.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
The company seems to have dropped any pretence of regular pricing.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Each game was introduced with a clip from the show that fits it perfectly, starting with the Colts' Week 1 date with the Baltimore Ravens.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
Now, viewers for dramas, comedies and reality shows are harder to come by, because people now have the leeway to watch their favorites at any moment of their own choosing.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
California officials announced two everyday air contaminants — acrolein and ethylene oxide — may be over 10 times more carcinogenic than benzene, posing unacceptable cancer risks to the state’s residents.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
-
The streets around Beijing’s iconic Forbidden City are often filled with brides and grooms, posing for wedding photos against auspicious red backdrops in a place that strongly reflects Chinese culture and tradition.—
Janis Mackey Frayer,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Stay in a Former Warehouse Meantime, Gibson’s Warehouse is a boutique property with a history of its own, and one that dates to the early 1900s when this inn got its start as a warehouse with a brick façade.—
Erin Gifford,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
-
This dual-purpose envelope combines functionality with expressive design, creating a facade that is both energy efficient and visually striking.—
Adam Williams
May 13,
New Atlas,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Herbert's not going through the motions and pretending to be a relationship with a pop singer like some aging tight end.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
-
Washington state’s House Bill 2225, due to come into effect in January 2027, will explicitly ban manipulative techniques such as excessive praise, pretending to feel distress, encouraging isolation from family, or creating overdependent relationships.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The series is not just a chronicle of the planet’s wonders but a specific act of historical homage.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
As the landscape continues to favor those who prioritize sustainable profitability alongside expansion, the retailers and brands who can master this balancing act will not only survive current market volatility but will emerge as the most attractive targets for future investment and acquisition.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The win is Graham’s first BAFTA Television Award in eight nominations, all in the acting categories, a fact Graham noted when collecting his award.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
10 May 2026
-
Such is the longevity and quality of Graham’s output, the fact that Adolescence has delivered his first BAFTA acting prize will come as a surprise to some.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Turner sold his business to Time Warner in 1996 and his operation has continued in one guise or another since then.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
8 May 2026
-
Farage has been through various guises.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Playacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playacting. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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