as in actor
one who acts professionally (as in a play, movie, or television show)
a brawling actor who is in danger of becoming better known as a thug than as a thesp
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of thesp
That fall, the Toronto playwright and performer got cast in a new play and hit it off with fellow thesp Fab Filippo, also a performer who created his own work.
—
Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 22 Nov. 2022
Hopefully, the thesp will deliver a performance that moves him up a peg or two in the in-the-works sequel.
—Joe Tobal, EW.com, 7 Oct. 2022
Legend is a multi-hyphenate musician, songwriter, actor and producer who has become active in television as a thesp and producer.
—Cynthia Littleton, chicagotribune.com, 19 Dec. 2017
Two of these, a jazz pianist named Seb (Ryan Gosling) and a thesp (as the trades would say) named Mia (Emma Stone), meet cute in a gigantic traffic jam that doubles as a song-and-dance extravaganza.
—A. O. Scott, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2016
Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 22 Nov. 2022
Hopefully, the thesp will deliver a performance that moves him up a peg or two in the in-the-works sequel.
—Joe Tobal, EW.com, 7 Oct. 2022
Legend is a multi-hyphenate musician, songwriter, actor and producer who has become active in television as a thesp and producer.
—Cynthia Littleton, chicagotribune.com, 19 Dec. 2017
Two of these, a jazz pianist named Seb (Ryan Gosling) and a thesp (as the trades would say) named Mia (Emma Stone), meet cute in a gigantic traffic jam that doubles as a song-and-dance extravaganza.
—A. O. Scott, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thesp
Noun
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There are literally dozens of acting categories at the Emmys, meaning there are dozens of fashion moments from your favorite TV actors and actresses.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
15 Sep. 2025
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This was also the actor’s (and Them June cover star’s) first-ever Emmy nomination, which makes his victory all the more impressive.—
James Factora,
Them.,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While the property has old-school celebrity ties—and actress Demi Moore has also long maintained a home in Hailey—it has since been brought into the modern age, with a contemporary, Western-chic main residence serving as your home base.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
18 Sep. 2025
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The brand has partnered with actress, director and advocate Mariska Hargitay to bring the collection to life.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Musical follows an American man in Paris at the turn of the 20th century, Christian, who falls in love with a performer at the titular cabaret club named Satine.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
19 Sep. 2025
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As a performer, DiDonato is expressive with both her resonant, articulate voice and her face and physicality.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thesp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thesp. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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