Synonyms of acts

acts 1 of 2

noun

plural of act

1

as in routines

a performance regularly presented by an individual or group

in his nightclub act he impersonates a veritable galaxy of movie stars

Synonyms & Similar Words

• routines
• numbers
• turns
• shticks
• bits
• signatures

2

as in shows

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

• shows
• guises
• poses
• facades
• pretenses
• masquerades
• airs
• charades
• disguises
• fronts
• performances
• semblances
• personae
• portrayals
• put-ons
• pretexts
• impersonations
• cloaks
• appearances
• deceptions
• affectations
• duplicities
• dissimulations
• deceits
• glosses
• betrayals
• guiles
• frauds
• images
• excuses
• treacheries
• double-dealings
• colors
• perfidies
• treasons
• fakeries
• double crosses
• camouflages
• infidelities
• falsities

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• candors
• sincerities
• naïvetés

3

as in laws

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

• laws
• bills
• ordinances
• amendments
• statutes
• enactments
• prohibitions
• constitutions
• legislations
• regulations
• decrees
• edicts
• rules
• dictates
• rulings
• ground rules
• commandments
• directives
• common law
• bylaws
• commands
• restrictions
• fiats
• blue laws
• proscriptions
• canons
• capitularies
• encyclicals

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• higher laws

4

as in things

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

• things
• actions
• feats
• deeds
• doings
• experiences
• accomplishments
• activities
• achievements
• exploits
• works
• initiatives
• performances
• stunts
• dealings
• adventures
• steps
• enterprises
• tactics
• moves
• undertakings
• attainments
• proceedings
• procedures
• maneuvers
• operations
• handiworks
• emprises
• measures
• tricks
• coactions

acts

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of act

1

as in plays

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

• plays
• performs
• portrays
• interprets
• depicts
• does
• represents
• impersonates
• enacts
• acts out
• renders
• pantomimes
• dramatizes
• masquerades
• imitates
• mimes
• role-plays
• mimics
• takes on
• underplays
• overplays
• playacts
• poses (as)
• hams
• apes
• overacts
• stars (in)
• clowns
• costars
• coacts

2

as in works

to produce a desired effect

the painkiller acted surprisingly quickly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• works
• performs
• operates
• reacts
• takes
• takes effect
• responds
• behaves
• results
• influences
• affects
• takes hold
• sways
• pans out
• redounds

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• backfires
• fizzles

3

as in seems

to give the impression of being

always acting helpless, just to get attention

Synonyms & Similar Words

• seems
• feels
• looks
• sounds
• appears
• makes
• comes off (as)
• resembles
• pretends
• comes across (as)
• suggests
• implies
• recalls
• dissembles
• hints
• insinuates

4

as in functions

to have a certain purpose

the tail feathers of woodpeckers act as props while the birds excavate tree trunks for insects

Synonyms & Similar Words

• functions
• serves
• works
• performs
• operates
• controls
• guides
• regulates
• directs
• runs
• manages
• handles
• administers
• supervises
• oversees
• carries on

5

as in pretends

to present a false appearance of

if you act confident long enough, you'll begin to actually feel it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pretends
• simulates
• assumes
• affects
• feigns
• passes (for)
• professes
• dissembles
• plays
• makes believe
• poses
• conceals
• counterfeits
• shams
• masquerades
• puts on
• bluffs
• fakes
• forges
• imitates
• masks
• disguises
• impersonates
• dissimulates
• camouflages
• playacts
• lets on
• feints
• malingers

6

as in mocks

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

• plays
• mocks
• imitates
• portrays
• poses (as)
• impersonates
• personates
• masquerades (as)
• parodies
• mimes
• copies
• mimics
• performs
• monkeys
• apes
• travesties

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of acts

Noun

The volume was loud – at least one listener’s ears were ringing four hours after the concert ended – but Springsteen’s is one of the few rock acts whose music literally demands such auditory excess (most groups use volume to mask mediocrity). —Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026

As next acts go, showcasing art and craft in a 15th-century Venetian palazzo is an audacious—and romantic—plan. —Asad Syrkett, Architectural Digest, 27 Apr. 2026

Bart Jansen Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said authorities are prepared to combat political violence but that rhetoric spurs acts of violence. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026

In the face of oppression and cynicism, kindness and joy are revolutionary acts. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026

The Ronettes’ sexy look and powerful voices — plus songwriting and producing help from Phil Spector — turned them into one of the premier acts of the girl-group era, touring England with The Rolling Stones and befriending the Beatles. —ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026

But even wild gusts couldn’t keep these top acts down at the three-day event, which had people flocking to the Mane Stage to see headliners Cody Johnson (Friday), Lainey Wilson (Saturday) and Post Malone (Sunday). —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2026

Last summer, the festival featured three days of music by acts such as Wardruna, Converge, Panopticon, and Neurosis guitarist Steve Von Till. —David Harris, SPIN, 27 Apr. 2026

Trump’s acts of war did not trigger a popular uprising. —Nick Akerman, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026

Verb

The Blue Line is an area spanning 120 kilometers (around 75 miles) along southern Lebanon that acts as a de-facto border between the two countries. —Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026

The system acts as an agent, building investment screens and producing full research reports, including sophisticated financial modeling and bull and bear cases for a particular stocks, on the fly. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026

Annual tuition for the Yale School of Art currently stands at just under $50,200—a tough barrier to clear for most aspiring artists looking to attend a program that still acts as a feeder for many New York institutions and galleries. —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026

The administration has provided no explanation for purging the board, which helps steer the National Science Foundation and acts as an independent advisory body for the president and Congress on scientific and engineering issues, providing reports throughout the year. —Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026

The slight moisture basically acts like a magnet, keeping the dust stuck to the cloth with every pass. —Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026

The tribute acts this year pay tribute to Stevie Nick and Taylor Swift. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026

Use Boiling Water Similar to vinegar, boiling water acts as a non-selective herbicide. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026

And the hilarious Josh Cahn, as Sarah’s therapist brother, Joel, acts as the audience’s surrogate. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026