as in actors
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of thespians
Returning cast members include Brooks, Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, George Wynder and Daphne Zuniga with new thespians including Gad, Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman and Anthony Carrigan.
—
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2026
As he's made apparent many times before, Brian Cox is not afraid to share his opinion of his fellow thespians.
—Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
The world of thespians is dramatic—and not just when performing a play.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
The occasional odd campaign moment and foot-in-mouth gaff didn't help – neither did Jordan getting top honors from his fellow thespians at the Actor Awards.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Be sure to stick around for the twice-daily gunfights staged in the dusty streets by local thespians in 10-gallon hats.
—Zoey Goto, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
The casting matches the meathead characters visually, but the disproportionate number of objectively bad thespians on Team Thin Blue Line results in an acting performance disparity that’s sometimes brutal to watch as the fighting progresses.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2026
The point is, a whole generation of young British thespians has figured out the one thing almost as good as being cast as James Bond is being rumored for the part.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
Fine Arts Theatre Endowment to give back to Southwest Minnesota State and provide scholarships to aspiring thespians.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 31 Dec. 2025
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2026
As he's made apparent many times before, Brian Cox is not afraid to share his opinion of his fellow thespians.
—Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
The world of thespians is dramatic—and not just when performing a play.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
The occasional odd campaign moment and foot-in-mouth gaff didn't help – neither did Jordan getting top honors from his fellow thespians at the Actor Awards.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Be sure to stick around for the twice-daily gunfights staged in the dusty streets by local thespians in 10-gallon hats.
—Zoey Goto, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
The casting matches the meathead characters visually, but the disproportionate number of objectively bad thespians on Team Thin Blue Line results in an acting performance disparity that’s sometimes brutal to watch as the fighting progresses.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2026
The point is, a whole generation of young British thespians has figured out the one thing almost as good as being cast as James Bond is being rumored for the part.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
Fine Arts Theatre Endowment to give back to Southwest Minnesota State and provide scholarships to aspiring thespians.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thespians
Noun
-
In addition to wandering tourists, expect to see theater crew, set designers, actors, and matronly sensei in pastel kimonos and big, pinned up hairdos haunting the vicinity.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
-
McClarnon joined other actors in a group called the American Indian Registry for the Performing Arts, where casting agents would come to find Native talent.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
But the two actresses playing Annie will have to bond with the dog as well.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
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The show tracks the relationship that develops between Agnes and Daisy, and Halliday said the two actresses were able to push the limits because of their off-screen friendship.—
Alex Cramer,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thespians.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thespians. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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