as in interim
serving in a position for the time being
will serve as acting president of the university until a permanent replacement can be found
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in entertainment
Related Words
1
as in playing
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
as in working
to produce a desired effect
the painkiller acted surprisingly quickly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in seeming
to give the impression of being
always acting helpless, just to get attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in serving
to have a certain purpose
the tail feathers of woodpeckers act as props while the birds excavate tree trunks for insects
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in pretending
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 mocking
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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of acting
Stephen Groves, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Miley Cyrus also reflected on her bond with Osment on the series, which was her first big acting role.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Aria Bendix, NBC news, 15 May 2026
But there is always enough in the writing, and the acting, to keep things straight.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 17 May 2026
Mark Briggs served as acting head coach.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for acting
Adjective
But Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has been elevated to the top job, on at least an acting basis, and is performing the duties of the department’s top official.
—Stephen Groves, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Miley Cyrus also reflected on her bond with Osment on the series, which was her first big acting role.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
Michael Davis, the deputy center director at CDER, will take over as acting director.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 15 May 2026
But there is always enough in the writing, and the acting, to keep things straight.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Verb
Evan White, wine director at Bludorn in Houston, was one of the quick-acting sommeliers who got hold of the first-available Chardonnay vintage from Résonance.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 17 May 2026
Mark Briggs served as acting head coach.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for acting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acting
Adjective
-
After the game, Chelsea’s interim manager Callum McFarlane analysed the goal well.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Club icon Martin O’Neill was twice appointed as interim manager and, at the age of 74, this was his fourth league title with the team - coming 22 years after his previous one.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
The spa Indoor and outdoor pools here provide extra options for entertainment, and the patio’s sunbeds see a lot of attention, especially on weekends when rates often drop here.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
Throughout her career, the actor has deliberately chosen powerful, complex roles and founded the Geena Davis Institute to combat unconscious bias and increase representation in entertainment.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
At a press conference Wednesday announcing the bill, lawmakers cited studies showing that the cost of playing youth sports has risen by 46% in five years, with many families paying more than $5,000 per child for a single season.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
The 16-year-old Sullivan collected his first career MLS goal, playing a cross to Ben Bender and finishing the return pass to cut the deficit to 3-2.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
By late summer, as the government’s funding was set to run out again, Jeffries was working closely with Schumer to make sure that Democrats in the House and the Senate were in alignment.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Across all of them, AI is working where the operating model was ready for it.—
Dennis Woodside,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
For the Bucks, Turner’s comments come off as a dumpster fire that needs to be extinguished as soon as possible, with a seeming advantage for Giannis suitors.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
16 May 2026
-
The emergence of Dorion as a serious contender for the top job last week, and the organization immediately seeming to fold in the face of significant public outcry and criticism, wasn’t exactly confidence-inspiring.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Jeffries, who was serving as a House impeachment manager, posited an answer.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Ted told her about his time serving as a Special Forces Green Beret.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
The two initially make a deal where Hannah exchanges free tutoring lessons for Garrett pretending to be her boyfriend, making her crush jealous.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
-
With the war’s turbulence on the economy more prevalent and the internet now throttled, Russians no longer have the luxury of pretending the war in Ukraine isn’t happening.—
Daniel DePetris,
Twin Cities,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Vargas reached out to Charles via a TikTok DM to request a donation, and Charles posted a video on the platform mocking her message.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Three weeks after that self-mocking self-tape, a Mercedes-Benz was waiting outside one of Bournemouth’s student accommodation blocks.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acting. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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