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
The actresses, almost like a gender, in the Kennedy story, know, to some degree, what kind of public attention to expect.
—
Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
Angela is the role that thrust Larter back into the spotlight at an age when many actresses are sunsetting their careers.
—Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
O’Hara was one of the most celebrated comic actresses of her generation.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 9 Feb. 2026
The actresses Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge were among the women who came out with accusations against Brett Ratner.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
The two roles are being played by veteran actresses of the Chicago Street Theatre stage, Barb Baker Malangoni as Marie Curie and Lisa Formosa-Parmigiano as Hertha Aryton.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Diahann was a huge role model for a lot of popular Black actresses that are thriving today.
—Starr Rocque, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
Instead, in order to protect their identities, their words are read aloud during re-enactments by powerhouse actresses such as Emma Thompson (who squeezes herself beneath an axle) and Kate Dickie (performing, as the nurse, on all fours on Kenmure Street itself).
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
O'Hara's survivors include her husband Bo Welch and their sons, Matthew and Luke, as well as the actresses' siblings Michael O’Hara; Mary Margaret O’Hara; Maureen Jolley; Marcus O‘Hara; Tom O’Hara; and Patricia Wallice.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
Angela is the role that thrust Larter back into the spotlight at an age when many actresses are sunsetting their careers.
—Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
O’Hara was one of the most celebrated comic actresses of her generation.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 9 Feb. 2026
The actresses Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge were among the women who came out with accusations against Brett Ratner.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
The two roles are being played by veteran actresses of the Chicago Street Theatre stage, Barb Baker Malangoni as Marie Curie and Lisa Formosa-Parmigiano as Hertha Aryton.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Diahann was a huge role model for a lot of popular Black actresses that are thriving today.
—Starr Rocque, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
Instead, in order to protect their identities, their words are read aloud during re-enactments by powerhouse actresses such as Emma Thompson (who squeezes herself beneath an axle) and Kate Dickie (performing, as the nurse, on all fours on Kenmure Street itself).
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
O'Hara's survivors include her husband Bo Welch and their sons, Matthew and Luke, as well as the actresses' siblings Michael O’Hara; Mary Margaret O’Hara; Maureen Jolley; Marcus O‘Hara; Tom O’Hara; and Patricia Wallice.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actresses
Noun
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That accounts equally for Lily’s arch froideur and Diana’s enduring lack of self-worth, played by both actors with care and compassion, and contrasting flickers of vulnerability and resolve, respectively.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
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That willingness to do what was required for the job was a product of his past work in film and television, as well as growing up with parents who were actors and singers themselves, Dolenz says.—
Peter Larsen,
Daily News,
5 Feb. 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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The Marlins make a reasonable point in explaining that signing a veteran bat would have taken opportunities away from their young players, who need to be evaluated.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
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Former Royals players and fans are still in shock over the untimely death of Terrance Gore.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Actresses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actresses. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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