1
as in performers
one who acts professionally (as in a play, movie, or television show)
my sister went to drama school to become an actor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in participants
one who takes part in something
Benjamin Franklin was a major actor in many of the events leading up to the founding of our nation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of actors
Josh is a skeptic who gets itchy whenever actors burst into song; Melissa is a believer who longs for a romance so transcendent that it can be expressed only in an airy glissando, opted up an octave.
—
Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
Some critics argue that the clean energy transition simply trades one dependency for another, shifting reliance from fossil fuels controlled by unstable actors to supply chains heavily concentrated in China.
—Jennifer Granholm, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026
These moves come as actors, musicians, influencers and athletes face a growing use of generative AI platforms that spawn deepfakes and other misuses which exploit the identities of high-profile figures.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Apr. 2026
The lead roles in the show are performed simultaneously by two actors, one who speaks and sings and one who uses American Sign Language.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
There are also a trove of tiny actors playing boys as young as four or five.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
At the beginning of every Actor Awards (the kudocast formerly known as the SAG Awards), actors give a speech from their chairs in the room, sharing their origin stories.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
In total, the productions are expected to employ more than 5,300 cast and crew members, more than 20,800 background actors and generate nearly $800 million in economic activity throughout the state.
—Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
White and Sanders join a long list of actors who starred in the original series.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
Some critics argue that the clean energy transition simply trades one dependency for another, shifting reliance from fossil fuels controlled by unstable actors to supply chains heavily concentrated in China.
—Jennifer Granholm, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026
These moves come as actors, musicians, influencers and athletes face a growing use of generative AI platforms that spawn deepfakes and other misuses which exploit the identities of high-profile figures.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Apr. 2026
The lead roles in the show are performed simultaneously by two actors, one who speaks and sings and one who uses American Sign Language.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
There are also a trove of tiny actors playing boys as young as four or five.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
At the beginning of every Actor Awards (the kudocast formerly known as the SAG Awards), actors give a speech from their chairs in the room, sharing their origin stories.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
In total, the productions are expected to employ more than 5,300 cast and crew members, more than 20,800 background actors and generate nearly $800 million in economic activity throughout the state.
—Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
White and Sanders join a long list of actors who starred in the original series.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actors
Noun
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Alaska, Hawaiian are consistent performers The AQR also singled out Alaska Airlines as the steadiest performer in the industry.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But the message is simple from the firefighters and participants alike; when a wildfire starts, there won't be time to prepare, so now is the time to act.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Ukraine, which also returns to the Venice Biennale this year, has sanctioned five individuals associated with the Russian pavilion and has lobbied to have the participants’ visas revoked.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In March, the Oscars celebrated the Reiners’ legacy with a moving tribute, which featured appearances by many actors and actresses who’d worked with Rob.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
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The men in the cast – Ben Jacoby and Brent Thiessen – are suitably smarmy in their stick-thin roles, with the supporting adult actresses – Sarah Bockel and Lael Van Keuren – playing the mothers with caricature zeal.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And in doing so, Gunther often lulls crowds into becoming sporting event spectators rather than the raucous participators that most other wrestlers try to draw out of them.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Fan-favorite players find ways to shine from the depths of the later rounds.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Laney College athletic director John Beam KPIX Beam, who was beloved by his players and alumni and who left a lasting mark on the community, was shot and killed on the Laney campus in November.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Actors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actors. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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