as in actor
one who acts professionally (as in a play, movie, or television show)
a brawling actor who is in danger of becoming better known as a thug than as a thesp
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 thesp
Mincan found his ideal leads in German-Romanian actor Niko Becker and Philippine thesp Soliman Cruz (pictured).
—
Ed Meza, Variety, 14 Nov. 2022
That fall, the Toronto playwright and performer got cast in a new play and hit it off with fellow thesp Fab Filippo, also a performer who created his own work.
—Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 22 Nov. 2022
Anne Hathaway, a skilled thesp, is no match for Huston as the villainous lead.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 7 Oct. 2022
Hopefully, the thesp will deliver a performance that moves him up a peg or two in the in-the-works sequel.
—Joe Tobal, EW.com, 7 Oct. 2022
Egons Dombrovskis, one of the film’s weak acting links), who beats his meek wife Smaida (Polish thesp Agata Buzek, underused here).
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 6 Dec. 2021
Legend is a multi-hyphenate musician, songwriter, actor and producer who has become active in television as a thesp and producer.
—Cynthia Littleton, chicagotribune.com, 19 Dec. 2017
Two of these, a jazz pianist named Seb (Ryan Gosling) and a thesp (as the trades would say) named Mia (Emma Stone), meet cute in a gigantic traffic jam that doubles as a song-and-dance extravaganza.
—A. O. Scott, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2016
Ed Meza, Variety, 14 Nov. 2022
That fall, the Toronto playwright and performer got cast in a new play and hit it off with fellow thesp Fab Filippo, also a performer who created his own work.
—Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 22 Nov. 2022
Anne Hathaway, a skilled thesp, is no match for Huston as the villainous lead.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 7 Oct. 2022
Hopefully, the thesp will deliver a performance that moves him up a peg or two in the in-the-works sequel.
—Joe Tobal, EW.com, 7 Oct. 2022
Egons Dombrovskis, one of the film’s weak acting links), who beats his meek wife Smaida (Polish thesp Agata Buzek, underused here).
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 6 Dec. 2021
Legend is a multi-hyphenate musician, songwriter, actor and producer who has become active in television as a thesp and producer.
—Cynthia Littleton, chicagotribune.com, 19 Dec. 2017
Two of these, a jazz pianist named Seb (Ryan Gosling) and a thesp (as the trades would say) named Mia (Emma Stone), meet cute in a gigantic traffic jam that doubles as a song-and-dance extravaganza.
—A. O. Scott, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thesp
Noun
-
Galactic Gag Reel – Visit the recording booth with Elio’s voice actors.—
John Archer,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
The Power actor, 29, opened up about the reality of working in Hollywood and the challenges that come with it.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
People.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Even the lullaby that serves as the film’s sonic anchor was written by actress Carolina Tejeda for her firstborn child.—
Jason Liwag,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Other favorite memories include having legendary actress Meryl Streep as a next-door neighbor for a while, plus the Rustic Canyon Recreation Center right across the street.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thesp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thesp. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share