1
2
as in show
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
was putting on an act when she said she didn't mind being left out of the outing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in law
a rule of conduct or action laid down by a governing authority and especially a legislature
the Americans with Disabilities Act requires public buildings to have wheelchair access
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in thing
something done by someone
it's acts such as this—lying about having to work late—that make me feel like I can't trust you
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to play
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
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2
3
4
5
as in to pretend
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 to mock
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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of act
Juliana Kim, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026
Originally invited to serve as only an interval act to entertain viewers between competing performance groups, the Irish dance-and-music act became the talk of the night.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026
People have been called pedants since the early modern period—pedante is a fifteenth-century Italian coinage for a professional teacher of Latin literature and rhetoric—but have been acting pedantically for millennia.
—Clare Bucknell, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
Since then, photos and videos from the act of civil disobedience have spread widely across social media — amplified by others who share a similar frustration and unease about the country's military action.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026
Originally invited to serve as only an interval act to entertain viewers between competing performance groups, the Irish dance-and-music act became the talk of the night.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
Emmanuel Macron said Europe mustn’t act to weaken NATO, which connects the continent with its American ally.
—ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026
People have been called pedants since the early modern period—pedante is a fifteenth-century Italian coinage for a professional teacher of Latin literature and rhetoric—but have been acting pedantically for millennia.
—Clare Bucknell, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
-
Her son receives special services for a disability at Lake Center Elementary, and home routines are harder without this support.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
During the last decade, Parker’s routine has fostered one of the country’s most compelling new music scenes, where players from diverse backgrounds and demographics have converged to create wildly accessible improvised music.—
Grayson Haver Currin,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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While discussing the delicate tone of the show and its balance of being a satire on the Hollywood movie business and a love letter to chasing your dream, Cretton said the creative team focused on character to find their way.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
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The entire show can be seen on Billboard’s YouTube channel, below.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The internal documents were released only after the Union-Tribune pressed for the records, citing language in Atkins’ law.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Various states have laws that ban people under the age of 21 from purchasing firearms, and there are five pending Supreme Court petitions that challenge a variety of these laws across the country.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Game 5 showed two things at once.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Rubbing the compost against the screen with a gloved hand will help things along.—
Jessica Damiano,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That was the game Towns played.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Mia Arguelles, who typically plays midfielder, filled in at goalkeeper due to injuries and made two saves for Andrew (7-6-1, 3-2).—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At the time, Esperanza-Pacheco was working as a pastor at God’s Lighthouse of Truth in Richmond, where the victim and her family were members and had developed a friendship with him.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Huff signing did not work, and now the Eagles have ensured that Greenard will wear green with a major trade.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For major criminals, the city seemed to offer not only impunity but also sunshine, an easy life style, and safety.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Step-backs, deep 3s, power drives, trips to the line – every element of their games was on display, and every possession seemed to raise the stakes.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Chad Epperson, who had been managing the club’s Double-A Portland affiliate in the Eastern League, will serve as the interim third-base coach.—
Jimmy Golen,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Song is expected to serve as a left-handed bat off the bench while in Mexico.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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