as in interim
serving in a position for the time being
will serve as acting president of the university until a permanent replacement can be found
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in theatre
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in playing
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
as in working
to produce a desired effect
the painkiller acted surprisingly quickly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in seeming
to give the impression of being
always acting helpless, just to get attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in serving
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 pretending
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 mocking
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
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Recent Examples of acting
Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Sassoon, 38, was a career federal prosecutor for eight years when she was made acting U.S. attorney pending the confirmation of Trump’s appointee.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2025
Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025
Reigns has previously ventured into acting, showcasing his charisma and screen presence in various projects.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Han, 75, formerly the prime minister, stepped in as acting president in December after the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol following his controversial imposition of martial law.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acting
Adjective
Its star, Karla Sofía Gascón, became the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an acting Oscar — and in the lead actress category, at that.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Sassoon, 38, was a career federal prosecutor for eight years when she was made acting U.S. attorney pending the confirmation of Trump’s appointee.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
Check out this week’s Emmy predictions in key series and acting categories below.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025
Reigns has previously ventured into acting, showcasing his charisma and screen presence in various projects.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
Former acting Labor Secretary Julie Su will serve on the institute's advisory board.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Han, 75, formerly the prime minister, stepped in as acting president in December after the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol following his controversial imposition of martial law.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acting
Adjective
-
Armstrong was announced as the interim president of the New York City university in August 2024 after then-President Minouche Shafik announced her immediate resignation, following student protests over the Israel-Hamas war that roiled the campus.—
Riley Hoffman,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Analysts have interpreted the strikes as a warning against the new Syrian government in Damascus, headed by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and its backer, Turkey.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Then something strange happened — the Falcons started playing like one of the best defenses in the league.—
Josh Kendall,
The Athletic,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Deion Sanders began his NFL career with the Falcons in 1989, also playing baseball for the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves well into the 1990s.—
Dan Pompei,
The Athletic,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The City is Ours This City is Ours is the story of Michael (James Nelson-Joyce), a man who, for all of his adult life, has been involved in organized crime, working for his friend and the gang leader Ronnie (Sean Bean).—
Lily Ford,
The Hollywood Reporter,
27 Dec. 2024
-
After 16 years working with world's largest brands and acts, Stirling is now a creative director with Tvg Hospitality.—
Matthew MacConnell,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Step one is converting a Mayfair to their side, with Moira seeming like the easiest target.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
5 Jan. 2025
-
Despite the seeming doom and gloom, many institutions are stepping up to the plate in the face of these challenges, creating more accessible pathways to higher education.—
Susan R. Burns,
New York Daily News,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
List of warnings issued The research also highlights contamination in staples such as rice as one of the major contributors, with brands like Whole Foods Organic Long Grain White Rice having 2,240 nanograms of phthalates per serving.—
George Monastiriakos,
Newsweek,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Aspiring career changers who don’t work in healthcare are also finding new roles serving older adults, or creating them.—
Aliza Knox,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
This prompt gives you enough talking points to contribute thoughtfully without pretending to be an expert.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Interspersed in the narrative, there are South Asian folktales about a jackal who is punished for pretending to be a king and a foolish man who puts all his eggs in a basket.—
Malaka Gharib,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Bannon talked over and through Newsom’s questions, goading the governor at certain points, gently mocking him at others.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
20 Mar. 2025
-
In the essay, the 37-year-old recalled how Trachtenberg was often bullied by their peers, with kids mocking her for her role in Harriet the Spy.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The network and Ramsay’s Studio Ramsay Global are also teaming up to launch a digital culinary and entertainment brand called Bite.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Currently, Furious 7, alongside A Minecraft Movie, are leading presales for Friday in China, according to ticketing and entertainment platform Maoyan.—
Sara Merican,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acting. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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