1
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
2
3
as in seems
to give the impression of being
always acting helpless, just to get attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of acts
Steve Madeley, New York Times, 18 May 2026
As streaming technology improves and festivals continue drawing top-shelf acts, livestreams of music festivals have become more common.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 May 2026
Alongside the headlining acts that will lead Fan Fest, which includes Flo Rida, The Chainsmokers, The All American Rejects and more, over 40 artists and DJs with Kansas City ties will partake in performances.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2026
But in moderation, these small acts of emotional buffering play a very important, invisible role in a relationship’s smooth function.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
What happened next was an unexpected show of support from her husband, Johnny Davidson, that not only helped calm their daughter’s fears but also reminded everyone around her how powerful small acts of encouragement can be.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
This Main Street spot is located in the historic Strand Theatre, which was once used for vaudeville acts.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 17 May 2026
Among the opening acts of World War I, Britain severed Germany’s key telegraph cables, cutting off its communications with its forces.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
From the beginning, it was admired by the other recording acts.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 17 May 2026
Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Those are followed by a look inside Milpero’s fermentation room, where a sample drink acts as a midway digestif for the spicy, spectacular hot courses served later in the night.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 19 May 2026
Hivemind is Shield’s flagship autonomy platform, which acts as an AI pilot for unmanned systems.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 19 May 2026
According to the research team, formic acid acts as a solvent that temporarily disrupts the protein interaction—holding the fibers together—without altering the proteins themselves.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 18 May 2026
To what degree should AI makers be responsible for how their AI acts?
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
The only set is a backdrop that occasionally acts as a mirror and there’s only a sole costume change, for the final musical number.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 18 May 2026
Thankfully for the Tigers, the AL Central acts as a defibrillator, life vest and oxygen tank all rolled into one.
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 12 May 2026
The airport, a hub for Delta Air Lines, is the busiest airport in the world for passenger traffic, and acts as a major connection point for many flights in and out of the southeastern United States.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Noun
Most other acts by those of a Wolves persuasion barely generated a murmur, and the lap of appreciation by head coach Rob Edwards brought more than a smattering of boos.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 18 May 2026
As streaming technology improves and festivals continue drawing top-shelf acts, livestreams of music festivals have become more common.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 May 2026
Alongside the headlining acts that will lead Fan Fest, which includes Flo Rida, The Chainsmokers, The All American Rejects and more, over 40 artists and DJs with Kansas City ties will partake in performances.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2026
But in moderation, these small acts of emotional buffering play a very important, invisible role in a relationship’s smooth function.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
What happened next was an unexpected show of support from her husband, Johnny Davidson, that not only helped calm their daughter’s fears but also reminded everyone around her how powerful small acts of encouragement can be.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
This Main Street spot is located in the historic Strand Theatre, which was once used for vaudeville acts.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 17 May 2026
Among the opening acts of World War I, Britain severed Germany’s key telegraph cables, cutting off its communications with its forces.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
From the beginning, it was admired by the other recording acts.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 17 May 2026
Verb
One of the writer’s jobs is, of course, to make a world of words, images, scenes, photographs—a unique artistic world that acts as the container for the story or the meaning.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Those are followed by a look inside Milpero’s fermentation room, where a sample drink acts as a midway digestif for the spicy, spectacular hot courses served later in the night.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 19 May 2026
Hivemind is Shield’s flagship autonomy platform, which acts as an AI pilot for unmanned systems.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 19 May 2026
According to the research team, formic acid acts as a solvent that temporarily disrupts the protein interaction—holding the fibers together—without altering the proteins themselves.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 18 May 2026
To what degree should AI makers be responsible for how their AI acts?
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
The only set is a backdrop that occasionally acts as a mirror and there’s only a sole costume change, for the final musical number.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 18 May 2026
Thankfully for the Tigers, the AL Central acts as a defibrillator, life vest and oxygen tank all rolled into one.
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 12 May 2026
The airport, a hub for Delta Air Lines, is the busiest airport in the world for passenger traffic, and acts as a major connection point for many flights in and out of the southeastern United States.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acts
Noun
-
The Moon in Taurus moves through your 6th House of Work and Wellness, asking for simple systems, steady routines, and practical follow-through.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
-
With the introduction of synthetic fabrics, laundry sorting routines changed again to accommodate fabrics that could not withstand hot water washing.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
So these shows are very healthy relative to a lot of other media.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
The move to Netflix is part of an expansion of the streamer’s live event programming which has seen a push with live sports such as boxing and wrestling (WWE Raw), live stand-up comedy specials and awards shows, including SAG-AFTRA’s Actor Awards.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Similar laws are on the books in Europe, and there’s no evidence that prices have gone up because of them.—
Justin Sanchez,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
-
In addition, this legislation could provide leaders with protection on state laws pertaining to NIL, which has led to lawsuits and a plethora of disagreements.—
Trey Wallace,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
Or, in this case, cutting things up with scissors and tossing them around.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Fans serenaded Saiss, who now plays for Qatari side Al Sadd, and showed their appreciation for Jimenez throughout the game on Sunday, even when the Mexico international was simply warming up before his second-half introduction.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
And apologies to Pedro Pascal (who plays the Mandalorian), but his costar tends to steal every scene.—
Tracy Smith,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Everyone who works with him, their salary goes up, the writers, the producers.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
19 May 2026
-
Public Counsel, a pro bono law firm in Los Angeles that works with low-income communities and vendors, is also working with coalitions and the city of Inglewood to ask that vendors be included in economic opportunities at the games and people in the area without legal status be protected.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
This seems to be the world’s most obvious bait and switch, though.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
While front-running Atlanta remains well ahead in the NL East, Philadelphia's early season funk has passed and momentum seems to be building, which Schwarber is far more concerned about than whatever home-run total is next to his name.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Yet masculinism also functions as a perpetual-motion machine of grievance, an inarticulate howl of anguish at the status quo—whatever that currently is.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
-
If working families feel more secure and the legislature actually functions as a democratic body, that’s success.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acts. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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