as in actor
one who acts professionally (as in a play, movie, or television show)
although she's "acted" in a couple of horror movies, I'd hardly call her one of our more promising thespians
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Recent Examples of thespian
In fact, the last one is for real as the aspiring thespians eventually discover.
—
Leo Barraclough, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Details: Dizzy’s Den, 5 p.m. Sept. 28 Since emerging on the jazz scene as a late-blooming talent at the turn of the century, René Marie has carved out a singular niche as a chance-taking improviser who inhabits the stage with the skill of a master thespian.
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025
The veteran thespian used the interview to highlight the broader need for solidarity among Black creators.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Farrell saw such a complex character as an appealing opportunity for a thespian.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thespian
Leo Barraclough, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Details: Dizzy’s Den, 5 p.m. Sept. 28 Since emerging on the jazz scene as a late-blooming talent at the turn of the century, René Marie has carved out a singular niche as a chance-taking improviser who inhabits the stage with the skill of a master thespian.
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025
The veteran thespian used the interview to highlight the broader need for solidarity among Black creators.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Farrell saw such a complex character as an appealing opportunity for a thespian.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thespian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thespian
Noun
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The Super Bowl was no different with artists Cardi B and Karol G, and actors Pedro Pascal and Jessica Alba appearing on screen.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
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The Writers Guild of America East and West are expected to begin negotiating on March 6, followed by the Directors Guild in May, so the actors union has about a month to make a deal.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The opening scene, which hints at the allegorical nature of the story (written by Çatak, Ayda Meryem Çatak and Enis Köstepen), features respected theater actress Derya (Özgü Namal) on stage before a packed audience.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
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For the evening’s fete, the Korean-Australian actress wore a red pleated silk dress from Gurung’s fall 2026 collection.—
Kanika Talwar,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But the controversy surrounding the event with halftime performer Bad Bunny likely stoked additional interest.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Cort, born Walter Edward Cox on March 29, 1948, in New Rochelle, New York, attended NYU Tisch School of the Arts for a brief period and studied acting with Stella Adler before going professional as a performer.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thespian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thespian. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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