playact

verb

Definition of playactnext
as in to pose

Related Words

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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 playact Today, Margaret would be playacting her own massacre in active shooter drills at school. — Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 1 May 2023 Trump’s modus, as ever, was to playact; his game has always been improv. — Joe Klein, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2023 Today, this dynamic lives on in the form of Roblox strip clubs, where young people — mostly, minors — playact at adult sexuality. — Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2021 Yona has it better than the locals who have agreed to playact, and likely die, in Mui’s fake new disaster. — Madeline Leung Coleman, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2020 In a twist, The Sims is now a way to playact not just an alternate life, but any life at all. — Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2020 Cloud is almost childlike, a boy playacting at being a warrior and not always nailing the part. — Julie Muncy, Wired, 10 Apr. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playact
  1. pose
  2. masquerade
  3. pretend
  4. impersonate
  5. act
  6. play
  7. dissemble
  8. feign
Verb
  • The heat now poses an additional danger to residents still shaken by the quake, many of whom are sleeping in their cars after their homes were damaged or destroyed.
    — Yumi Asada, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Experts agree that even lower temperatures can pose health threats to vulnerable populations, especially when combined with high humidity.
    — Drew Kann, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of pose
Verb
  • Set amid the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, the tragic tale of Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) is famous for allowing real nightmares to masquerade as bloody fairytales.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 June 2026
  • What’s worrying to him is that abundance can masquerade as sufficiency.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 June 2026
Definition of masquerade
Verb
  • But growth and affordability are pulling in opposite directions right now, and Hampton's leadership doesn’t pretend otherwise.
    — Asia Alexander, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Maybe the most ethical – and enjoyable – way to travel now is to stop pretending you live there and embrace your status as a tourist.
    — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 31 July 2026
Definition of pretend
Verb
  • The speed and accuracy in which scammers are able to impersonate OnlyFans stars not only chips away at the creator’s income but can have offline consequences for both the creators and their fans.
    — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Hackers could also use the account to impersonate an employee.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of impersonate
Verb
  • The whole thing reminded me so much of Willow, when Kael’s forces arrive at Tir Asleen and Madmartigan tries to act tough and intimidating despite being badly outnumbered.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • By late afternoon, the Moon enters Aries and your 1st House of Identity, giving you the push to act.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of act
Verb
  • Toronto plays the Fire in Chicago on Thursday night, while the Valkyries play at Dallas on Friday night.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • In a clip posted to her Instagram Stories, the Duchess of Sussex wore her pajamas while cooking breakfast as music played in the background.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of play
Verb
  • Instead, whole grains and foods are dissembled into molecules which, with the help of artificial colorings, flavorings and gluelike emulsifiers, are heated, pounded, shaped or extruded into any food a manufacturer can dream up.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
  • When McKenzie asks him how much he’s contributed to the coffers of politicians, his dodging of the question is pure dissembling theater.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Definition of dissemble
Verb
  • Unafraid of sinking as low as possible at the welfare office, Dennis pretended to be recovering from a crack problem while Dee feigned intellectual disability, but the caseworker wasn’t buying it.
    — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
  • Patients are often described as drug seekers and accused of feigning their pain.
    — Larry Seward, CBS News, 29 June 2026
Definition of feign

Browse Nearby Words

play
playact
playacted
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Cite this Entry

“Playact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playact. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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