PLAYACTING Synonyms: 87 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

playacting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of playact

as in masquerading

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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 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

Noun

Trimpey also faces a felony charge of obtaining money by false pretenses.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
In the suit, Ibrahim alleges that he was lured to the gym under the pretense of a challenge and was ambushed by Watson, a co-owner of the gym and two other men.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

Definition of pretense

Verb

With housing costs posing a significant barrier to the accessibility of four-year universities, the bill provides $350 million for the construction of new affordable student housing projects.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
But, experts say those exceptions have been used as a defense in situations where a person was not posing the same level of threat.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026

Definition of posing

Noun

World powers, the sport’s biggest superstars and historically rowdy fanbases were all sent to DFW to put on a show.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Of the 69 analysts covering Amazon, 65 have buy or strong buy rating on the stock, while four have a hold on it, LSEG data shows.

— Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 15 July 2026

Definition of show

Verb

But the favor economy has a bias problem baked into its wiring, and pretending otherwise helps no one.

— Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
In the minute-long video, he can be seen dancing, bouncing a basketball and pretending to play a mini violin as rock music played in the background.

— Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Definition of pretending

Noun

Europe has long resisted air conditioning as noisy, an eyesore on architectural facades and unnecessary, as brutal summer heat has been relatively short-lived.

— Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 2 July 2026
Original Tuscan columns on the facade were preserved, while interior crown moldings were restored and paired with bleached hardwood chevron floors, new chandeliers, and mantlepieces.

— Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 2 July 2026

Definition of facade

Verb

Pacino, who studied method acting under Strasberg, will lead a jury of actors and filmmakers, evaluating independent films and performances for the 10th edition of the festival.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 13 July 2026
The latest announcement may buy the government a reprieve with civic groups, who have begun acting as vigilante labor inspectors, entering factories to check for foreign workers.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 13 July 2026

Definition of acting

Noun

Zizou stuck to his plan to retire after that World Cup, so the headbutt was his final act as a player.

— Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 11 July 2026
The act has become so popular that hundreds of Norwegian fans rowed in Miami Beach on Friday in preparation for Saturday’s match.

— Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026

Definition of act

Verb

Only the two teams that make the championship game playing a sixth game, but the Heat is likely out of the mix for the championship game with two losses in Las Vegas.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
The excitement surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup has inspired many fans, from former players to beginners, to slide into a pair of shin guards and start playing the beautiful game.

— Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 14 July 2026

Definition of playing

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playacted

playacting

playacts

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“Playacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playacting. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of playacting

noun

verb

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