as in actor
one who acts professionally (as in a play, movie, or television show)
although she's "acted" in a couple of horror movies, I'd hardly call her one of our more promising thespians
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of thespian
Returning cast members include Brooks, Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, George Wynder and Daphne Zuniga with new thespians including Gad, Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman and Anthony Carrigan.
—
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2026
As he's made apparent many times before, Brian Cox is not afraid to share his opinion of his fellow thespians.
—Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
The world of thespians is dramatic—and not just when performing a play.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
The occasional odd campaign moment and foot-in-mouth gaff didn't help – neither did Jordan getting top honors from his fellow thespians at the Actor Awards.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thespian
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2026
As he's made apparent many times before, Brian Cox is not afraid to share his opinion of his fellow thespians.
—Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
The world of thespians is dramatic—and not just when performing a play.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
The occasional odd campaign moment and foot-in-mouth gaff didn't help – neither did Jordan getting top honors from his fellow thespians at the Actor Awards.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thespian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thespian
Noun
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Lithogow is among a cadre of accomplished film and television actors who have a deep love of the stage.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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Pino is an actor and director who has worked across TV, film, and theater, and has helped break the glass ceiling for Latin American actors of a generation.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
8 June 2026
Noun
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Lead actress dropped to 41 from 53, a far cry from the 96 in 2023.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
12 June 2026
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The twins have since founded other fashion labels including Elizabeth and James, named after two of their younger siblings (including actress Elizabeth Olsen).—
Julie Tremaine,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
Noun
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The writer and performer has a YouTube channel boasting more than a million subscribers.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
10 June 2026
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Melancholic and intimate, the performer (Haylee Nichele) silently guided me to become comfortable in my discomfort, to sit with the evening’s themes of longing, loss, confusion and impending grief.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thespian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thespian. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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