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playacting 1 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

playacting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of playact
as in masquerading

Related Words

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 playacting
Noun
The incident led to Ünsal’s dismissal from the game and drew widespread criticism after replays showed Rivaldo playacting. — Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 June 2026 Whenever the real Rhodes was bludgeoned in the ring (his injuries themselves feigned as part of pro wrestling’s playacting), the fake one came to Theresa with his medical bills. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026 Alexis Mac Allister, whose fall from grace this season has been akin to Fabinho’s stark decline in 2022-23, stupidly delayed the taking of a Villa corner with some playacting which even prompted Slot to tell him to get up. — James Pearce, New York Times, 16 May 2026 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
  1. pretense
  2. posing
  3. show
  4. pretending
  5. facade
  6. acting
  7. act
  8. playing
Noun
  • Using the pretense of a documentary film crew, the show follows the excruciatingly dull workday experiences of a paper supply company in a drab office in a bleak industrial estate in Slough, England.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Behind closed doors, Chloe gets hired by Melody under the pretense that Chloe is helping her teacher’s illiterate husband learn how to read.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of pretense
Verb
  • On one of the final days of training camp, Campbell, his wife and son, his family and others lingered on the practice field, posing for photos to commemorate the moment.
    — Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Gusts on Lake Tahoe could exceed 40 mph, posing a serious issue for boaters.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of posing
Noun
  • Scripps also has dedicated studio shows for the WNBA and NWSL.
    — Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Kimmel, who regularly takes an extended break during the summer, had been away from his late-night show since June 18.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of show
Verb
  • In Mozart’s original, two Italian soldiers decide to test their lovers’ fidelity by pretending to head off to war.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Respondents questioned Dave Aranda’s roster construction, the program’s lack of identity and why everybody is pretending this isn’t a lame-duck season.
    — Manny Navarro, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of pretending
Noun
  • In 2025, a mini renovation updated the hotel’s façade, added more seating and a second hot tub to the indoor pool area, and refreshed the Gallery Restaurant to give it a more modern feel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
  • How much Moreno cared about criticism was unclear — though there were cracks in the facade.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of facade
Verb
  • His Emmy win last week for guest acting on The Bear set the record for longest gap between acting Emmy victories at 48 years.
    — Vulture Staff, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Know the savings, but don’t lose sight of the value of acting sooner.
    — Hemant Kapadia, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of acting
Noun
  • And Oklahoma’s Isaiah Sategna got in on the act with an 88-yard punt return touchdown.
    — Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Berry, who died on Monday at the age of 92, lived a life defined by acts of radical abstention.
    — Joe Fassler, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of act
Verb
  • Rather than playing as two traditional wingers, in this moment, both players were on the left flank.
    — Art de Roché, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Rumors have circulated that Stan may be playing Harvey Dent, the district attorney who eventually becomes the villainous Two-Face and was previously portrayed by Aaron Eckhart, Tommy Lee Jones, and Billy Dee Williams.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of playing

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Cite this Entry

“Playacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playacting. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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