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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Holtz in his later years became something of a caricature, like an actor who leans into the over-the-top quirks of his role.—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
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Among the wins were directing (Paul Thomas Anderson), supporting actor (an absent Sean Penn), the coveted best picture award, and the inaugural statuette for casting.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Vampire Diaries alum Kat Graham is now a mom, the actress revealed via Instagram.—
Anna Halkidis,
Parents,
13 Mar. 2026
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According to court filings, in an August 2024 exchange naming Freedman and Wallace, Nathan discusses plans with Case to implement a digital campaign targeting Ghost, who was then engaged in an escalating legal battle with Wilson over the actress’ directorial debut, The Deb.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The stock has gained nearly 105% in the past three months, making it by far the best performer in the popular VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH ).—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
18 Mar. 2026
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Writer-performer Aruhan Galieva, disabled producer Jess Gardner (Doctor Who, GALWAD), and NFTS director Benjamin Adnams develop Limerance, following multiple award-winning collaborations and the First Flights Film Fund Award.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thesp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thesp. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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