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
Mincan found his ideal leads in German-Romanian actor Niko Becker and Philippine thesp Soliman Cruz (pictured).
—
Ed Meza, Variety, 14 Nov. 2022
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
Anne Hathaway, a skilled thesp, is no match for Huston as the villainous lead.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 7 Oct. 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
Egons Dombrovskis, one of the film’s weak acting links), who beats his meek wife Smaida (Polish thesp Agata Buzek, underused here).
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 6 Dec. 2021
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
Ed Meza, Variety, 14 Nov. 2022
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
Anne Hathaway, a skilled thesp, is no match for Huston as the villainous lead.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 7 Oct. 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
Egons Dombrovskis, one of the film’s weak acting links), who beats his meek wife Smaida (Polish thesp Agata Buzek, underused here).
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 6 Dec. 2021
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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Last year, on his 47th birthday on March 8, the actor confirmed that Humes' sweet tradition continued.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
20 July 2025
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One of the more famous actors to save the day on the big screen, Henry Cavill debuted as Superman in 2013's Man of Steel.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 July 2025
Noun
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The actress, who won The Voice Kids UK and later triumphed in X Factor: The Band with her group RLY, previously played the part to critical acclaim during the show’s out-of-town tryouts in Manchester and Glasgow.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
21 July 2025
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The filmmaker, actress and activist gave the trend her unique spin, adding a cutout to her attire for the special occasion.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thesp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thesp. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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