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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of act
Chris Willman, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
Suspected associates of the gang retaliated by setting fire to a bus and blocking roads, leading to five arrests for acts of vandalism.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
Dan Walters, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
Your partner acts arrogant or entitled.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for act
Noun
Hailing from mountainous southwestern Virginia, the Stanley Brothers – Ralph and Carter – were a foundational act in bluegrass whose music has influenced generations of artists in a variety of genres.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
Suspected associates of the gang retaliated by setting fire to a bus and blocking roads, leading to five arrests for acts of vandalism.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
As a result, major issues go unresolved year after year, even decade after decade, despite promises by those seeking office to act boldly and effectively if elected.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
Your partner acts arrogant or entitled.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for act
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act
Noun
-
This will help improve the overall effectiveness, since your skin can better absorb the product (the same goes for all of the other formulas in your routine).—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The ten-part series will see Wahlberg putting some of the world’s biggest digital creators through his famous workout routine at his home gym while also holding candid conversations.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Swift was photographed solo on the red carpet and with a group of iHeartRadio execs before the show at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Fan Fest continues through the weekend, with a drone show and music festival planned for Friday.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In a March 13 reply brief, the government argued that federal law allows the attorney general to make successive 120-day interim appointments when vacancies persist.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Following his military service, Mueller earned a law degree from the University of Virginia.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
People have guns as a hobby, as a social thing.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Katie Schoeberl, Welniak’s cousin, made her mark as a volleyball player at Marist, but before that, was a pitcher for the Beverly Bandits and taught Welniak a few things about the sport.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Last season, Johnson played in 17 games, including eight starts, after All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson missed time with a Lisfranc injury.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
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Coach Charles Lee only had to play LaMelo Ball for an efficient 23 minutes, and Ball finished with 20 points and eight assists.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Those quirks, those contradictions, work quite well for me.—
Peter Hessler,
New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Under that legislation, state and local law enforcement agencies are prohibited from working with reality TV shows.—
Uwa Ede-Osifo,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the voters surveyed didn’t seem to see either party as the solution.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The outbreak seems to have occurred in people, including students from two universities, who attended a nightclub in early March.—
Kathleen Felton,
Washington Post,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After serving in World War II and the Korean War, Jim Rush worked 31 years at the local post office.—
SYDNEY PAGE THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
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Some of the district's smallest elementary schools now serve only a few hundred students, limiting access to programs and resources.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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