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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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

Everything else is pretense; the diplomat is pretense; the Hand of the King, there’s a level of pretense; Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, there’s a level of pretense.

— Matt Minton, Variety, 20 July 2026
When Moore finally abandons the pretense and focuses in earnest on his presidential ambitions, the damage to Maryland will be incalculable and likely irreparable.

— Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2026

Definition of pretense

Verb

Such behavior is often in response to crypto companies like BlockFi, Celsius and FTX filing for bankruptcy and posing investors with the possibility of losing money if that happens, Walter said.

— Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026
Another snapshot captured the former reality star posing barefoot on a dock overlooking the water.

— Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of posing

Noun

The series’ pilot, co-written by show creators Ellis and Ryan Murphy, does an admirable job of introducing the characters and their fraught dynamics along with the threat of a murderer known only as the Trawler.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
Taylor Farms is one of the nation’s biggest vegetable producers, and its Mexican subsidiaries are the source of more shipments of vegetable and salad products into the US than any other single manufacturer in the world, FDA import data shows.

— Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of show

Verb

Communicating once and pretending people are not having reactions and doubts is unhelpful.

— Maria Ross, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Maybe the most ethical – and enjoyable – way to travel now is to stop pretending you live there and embrace your status as a tourist.

— Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 31 July 2026

Definition of pretending

Noun

But now, the facade was about to collapse, leaving his community grappling with the fallout.

— Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
Its textured facade will support soil, water, plants, and wildlife, extending the existing riverside park vertically, while multiple windows and external staircases are integrated into the rock-like forms.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of facade

Verb

Her exit follows the resignations last week of acting Chief Financial Officer Steve Mahr and Deputy CFO Noor Shaikh in June — coming after CFO Jill Jaworski departed at the beginning of this year.

— Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
Before pivoting to acting, Ali was himself a high level athlete, playing Division I basketball at Saint Mary’s on a full scholarship.

— Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of acting

Noun

Burnham was mayor of Greater Manchester before vaulting back into national politics, and one of his first acts was to set up a branch office in the city.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
In October 2025, Morris pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a child and was sentenced to six months in the Osage County, Oklahoma, jail.

— Giles Hudson, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of act

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“Playacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playacting. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of playacting

noun

verb

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