Definition of actionnext
1
2
as in plot
the unfolding of events in a dramatic or literary work the mystery writer displays a sure hand in managing the novel's complicated but never incoherent action

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in lawsuit
a court case for enforcing a right or claim filed an action in county court to recover his lawn mower from his neighbor, who claims he "gave" it to her

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in field
active fighting during the course of a war the battalion saw action soon after it arrived in France

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
6

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of action Disposing of the Baby Boomers, a group who fought against government inaction and actions, is now a crisis for the generations that followed. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 July 2026 Containment actions should be proportional, reversible where possible and informed by multiple signals rather than a single brittle heuristic. Abhik Biswas, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Signed to Exhibit 10 contracts, The Charlotte Observer previously reported, the duo worked out for the Hornets during the pre-draft process, and the team wants to get another look at them in action. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026 If the owner doesn’t take adequate action, the city could go to court and ask a judge to appoint a receiver — someone who could take control of the property and pursue rehabilitation instead. Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for action
Recent Examples of Synonyms for action
Noun
  • This was most obvious during Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour, when brands capitalized on all things Taylor — friendship bracelets, themed drinks and even concert outfits.
    Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Eliminating that gap is one of the hardest things an organization can do.
    Tracy Lawrence, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • Prosecutors say the aim of the plot was to permanently disrupt gas deliveries via the pipelines and prevent Russia from using the revenues from natural gas trading to finance its military operations.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
  • That minimalist approach to plot has allowed the show to find its own lane.
    Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • Trump is consistently being rebuffed in court; the Justice Department has lost at least a dozen election lawsuits.
    Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026
  • Those logistics include a lawsuit by Communities for a Better Environment to halt the county’s original sale of its own half-interest in the site to the Athletics baseball franchise for $85 million in 2019.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • Unlike traditional sports chants, Jama blends music, rhythm and movement into an expression of community that exists well beyond the soccer field.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • The referee on the field, Raphael Claus, has previously been investigated for match fixing in Brazil, though of course, there's no indication that this was a motivating factor in this case.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • As the race progressed, Schlossberg received heavy media scrutiny by The New York Times with reports of high turnover inside his campaign and allegations of erratic behavior.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 24 June 2026
  • In other words, sourcing behaviors are not so much changing as shifting geographically.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • Events designed to support female founders are routinely underfunded relative to the ambitions behind them.
    Lisa Curtis, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • SpaceX has enormous business ambitions, including data centers in space and perfecting its rocket launch capabilities.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • At the time, the colonies were still under British rule, making the creation of a national flag a potentially dangerous act.
    Pete Cuddihy, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • The core party at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will feature performances by acts including the Smashing Pumpkins, Maren Morris and Anthony Ramos, according to the America 250 website.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
    David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 5 July 2026
  • Gil was trapped beneath more than 100 tons of rubble after the partial collapse of the Galerias Playa Grande commercial center, which includes buildings nine and four stories tall.
    Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Action.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/action. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on action

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster