as in interim
serving in a position for the time being
will serve as acting president of the university until a permanent replacement can be found
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in theatre
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in playing
to present a portrayal or performance of
a local student acted the part of Tiny Tim in our theater company's production of A Christmas Carol
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in working
to produce a desired effect
the painkiller acted surprisingly quickly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in seeming
to give the impression of being
always acting helpless, just to get attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in serving
to have a certain purpose
the tail feathers of woodpeckers act as props while the birds excavate tree trunks for insects
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in pretending
to present a false appearance of
if you act confident long enough, you'll begin to actually feel it
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in mocking
to pretend to be (what one is not) in appearance or behavior
someone who is willing to act the helpless little thing when she wants attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of acting
Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025
Trump appointed Leland Dudek to lead the agency on an acting basis while Bisignano, the CEO of financial software giant Fiserv, awaits Senate confirmation.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 18 Feb. 2025
Michael Saponara, Billboard, 28 Apr. 2025
My mother’s college acting teacher insisted that Vanya must be played as suffering from hemorrhoids (a conviction unsupported by the script).
—Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Han, 75, formerly the prime minister, stepped in as acting president in December after the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol following his controversial imposition of martial law.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acting
Adjective
Insiders confirmed to Variety on Monday that the 52-year-old Spanish actress — who made history last month as the first openly transgender performer nominated for an acting Oscar — will attend this Sunday’s 97th Academy Awards.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025
Trump appointed Leland Dudek to lead the agency on an acting basis while Bisignano, the CEO of financial software giant Fiserv, awaits Senate confirmation.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 18 Feb. 2025
Noun
Drake’s fans had a laugh and enjoyed his acting in the clip shared on Instagram.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 28 Apr. 2025
My mother’s college acting teacher insisted that Vanya must be played as suffering from hemorrhoids (a conviction unsupported by the script).
—Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
Former acting Labor Secretary Julie Su will serve on the institute's advisory board.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Han, 75, formerly the prime minister, stepped in as acting president in December after the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol following his controversial imposition of martial law.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acting
Adjective
-
The winningest coach in NBA history will become the team’s president of basketball operations, while interim coach Mitch Johnson will take over head-coaching duties.—
Sam Settleman,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
-
While responding to a call after a two-car collision, Chim goes off on one of the drivers, as well as Gerrard (Brian Thompson), who has stepped in as interim captain until a replacement can be determined.—
Patrick Gomez,
EW.com,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
Further factions emerge from there, as people start playing the game within the Squid Game, forming pockets of friendships and alliances, real and fake.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
26 Dec. 2024
-
The World Junior tournament is always good for some surprises; a couple of unexpected players emerging as top scorers or playing well in big moments, or a traditional top nation getting upset in the medal round.—
Corey Pronman,
The Athletic,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
There have been many examples of that from our first edition up until today with global producers and DJs working with top headliners from Saudi, Egypt, Lebanon and rest of the Arab world.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
27 Dec. 2024
-
The City is Ours This City is Ours is the story of Michael (James Nelson-Joyce), a man who, for all of his adult life, has been involved in organized crime, working for his friend and the gang leader Ronnie (Sean Bean).—
Lily Ford,
The Hollywood Reporter,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Step one is converting a Mayfair to their side, with Moira seeming like the easiest target.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
5 Jan. 2025
-
Despite the seeming doom and gloom, many institutions are stepping up to the plate in the face of these challenges, creating more accessible pathways to higher education.—
Susan R. Burns,
New York Daily News,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The school's kitchen and cafeteria are congested with long serving lines, according to the district's website.—
Alec Johnson,
Journal Sentinel,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Shanghai remains the hub for the new model, with the city serving as the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China's center of production, as well as the base for its research and development departments.—
George Monastiriakos,
Newsweek,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
This prompt gives you enough talking points to contribute thoughtfully without pretending to be an expert.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Interspersed in the narrative, there are South Asian folktales about a jackal who is punished for pretending to be a king and a foolish man who puts all his eggs in a basket.—
Malaka Gharib,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Bannon talked over and through Newsom’s questions, goading the governor at certain points, gently mocking him at others.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
20 Mar. 2025
-
In the essay, the 37-year-old recalled how Trachtenberg was often bullied by their peers, with kids mocking her for her role in Harriet the Spy.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Yet even as the party showcases a solidly deep bench of experience 2028 contenders, there is a nagging narrative, mostly in media circles, that Democrats should mimic the GOP by eloping with a non-traditional candidate with a massive entertainment or social media footprint.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
-
Despite the streaming revolution reshaping entertainment consumption worldwide, Prime Video‘s top international executives remain steadfast believers in the enduring power of theatrical exhibition.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
4 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acting. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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