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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of thesp
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
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
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
Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 22 Nov. 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
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
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Academy Award-winning actor Robert Duvall died on Feburary 15, at the age of 95.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
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The footage included photos from his childhood and ended with a clip of the actor taking a bite out of a massive cookie.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The opening scene, which hints at the allegorical nature of the story (written by Çatak, Ayda Meryem Çatak and Enis Köstepen), features respected theater actress Derya (Özgü Namal) on stage before a packed audience.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
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For the evening’s fete, the Korean-Australian actress wore a red pleated silk dress from Gurung’s fall 2026 collection.—
Kanika Talwar,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Kennedy freshman Ta’Niya Paul remains a breakout performer.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
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Five different characters sing their hearts out, and each performer meets the vocal and emotional demands of their star turn with both power and subtlety.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thesp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thesp. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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