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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Noun
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
-
Fernando Navarro, 53, of Minneapolis, is facing four counts of felony fraud for collecting nearly $70,000 in funds from Minnesota's medical assistance program under false pretenses.
-
Parliament was self-destructively arrogant in declining the colonies any vote or even much pretense of a say.
Verb
-
Witherspoon wrote alongside a photo of her posing with Deacon in his cap and gown.
-
Other snaps saw the Selena actress lounging in silk pajamas, celebrating her kids' graduations, eating a huge croissant, nibbling on a chocolate bar in bed, and posing for a selfie on a couch.
Noun
-
Several videos filmed in Simferopol, Crimea’s second city, and posted online show empty roads and public spaces.
-
The United Center shared a statement from the tour's management Thursday evening confirming the show has been postponed, along with the concert's third stop in Ohio, due to Richie's health.
Verb
-
Clarity does not require pretending the fog is gone.
-
This has included perpetrators pretending to administer a survey in their car, posing as a social worker giving away free baby items at their home, accompanying victims to a doctor’s appointment at a nonexistent clinic, and luring them to fake baby showers.
Noun
-
Local Law 11 façade inspections will be required every six years, instead of five, and buildings that are in good shape can perform them with drones and cameras instead of workers dangling from the roof.
-
With facades facing Seventh Avenue, 498 and 500 Seventh Avenue promised a future for America’s fashion capitol and over time, helped chart the success of Norman Norell, Bill Blass, Donna Karan and Ralph Lauren, among others.
Verb
-
The board appointed veteran district administrator Andres Chait as acting superintendent.
-
Bhushan also served as acting surgeon general of California in 2022.
Noun
-
Special guest Frzy will join the two musical acts at Point State Park for a concert with a theme of celebrating educators and innovators.
-
Baker’s portrayal emphasizes how creativity becomes an act of defiance against exclusion.
Verb
-
Ella Bruccoleri may be playing a Bennet sister on TV, but the actress wasn’t always a fan of Jane Austen.
-
According to court documents, Zimmerman was playing golf at the hotel's course throughout the day with friends.
Cite this Entry
“Playacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playacting. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
