as in actors
a woman or girl who acts in a play, movie, etc.
The versatile actress can seemingly play any role. The actresses in the musical vastly outperformed their male counterparts.
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Recent Examples of actresses
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
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
Prior to the production-halting injury, Turner expressed her excitement about stepping into the intrepid archaeologist’s legendary boots, which were previously filled by actresses Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander for Tomb Raider movies released in 2001, 2003 and 2018.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
But as the show's love triangle between Kelly, Dylan (played by Luke Perry) and Brenda (Shannen Doherty) grew, so did a rivalry between the real-life actresses.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Aside from astronaut Christina Koch, several famous people have this name, including singers Christina Aguilera, Christina Milian, and Christina Perri, as well as actresses Christina Applegate and Christina Ricci.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 9 Apr. 2026
The women were both up-and-coming actresses in 2018 when they were cast in the edgy teen drama, which provided a launch pad for both to became major stars.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
The store has carried items associated with actresses such as Lucie Arnaz.
—Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
The actresses have tested for the part, and a deal is imminent, as shooting on the film starts late next week in Atlanta.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
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
Prior to the production-halting injury, Turner expressed her excitement about stepping into the intrepid archaeologist’s legendary boots, which were previously filled by actresses Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander for Tomb Raider movies released in 2001, 2003 and 2018.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
But as the show's love triangle between Kelly, Dylan (played by Luke Perry) and Brenda (Shannen Doherty) grew, so did a rivalry between the real-life actresses.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Aside from astronaut Christina Koch, several famous people have this name, including singers Christina Aguilera, Christina Milian, and Christina Perri, as well as actresses Christina Applegate and Christina Ricci.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 9 Apr. 2026
The women were both up-and-coming actresses in 2018 when they were cast in the edgy teen drama, which provided a launch pad for both to became major stars.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
The store has carried items associated with actresses such as Lucie Arnaz.
—Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
The actresses have tested for the part, and a deal is imminent, as shooting on the film starts late next week in Atlanta.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actresses
Noun
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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
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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
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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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
Cite this Entry
“Actresses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actresses. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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