act | ||
1. | [ verb ] perform an action, or work out or perform (an action) | |
Synonyms: | move | |
Examples: | "think before you act" "We must move quickly" "The governor should act on the new energy bill" "The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel" |
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Related terms: | refrain try continue go take wait play react prosecute participate perform deal end_up perpetrate volunteer make_bold dare take_care cope attack rush set_about do_well create effect go_ahead make_a_point use anticipate interrupt woo get_around_to follow_through prosecute continue come_close repeat behave antagonize alternate interact act_on react behave come_to_the_fore force condescend exert surprise play sneak guard continue begin condescend misbehave dispatch maneuver go_off_at_half-cock satisfice reciprocate egotrip reward court play_out use race rampage condescend play_it_by_ear take_time_by_the_forelock stampede lord_it_over evade dally coact partner influence pursue act_up move action | |
2. | [ noun ] (law,writing) a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body | |
Synonyms: | enactment | |
Related terms: | legal_document legislative_act decree law | |
3. | [ noun ] something that people do or cause to happen | |
Synonyms: | human_action human_activity | |
Related terms: | action activity production communication judgment radioactivity distribution forfeit rejection hindrance stop stay residency group_action arrest wear waste legitimation assumption motivating speech_act proclamation leaning inactivity laughter nonaccomplishment motivate trip | |
4. | [ verb ] behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself | |
Synonyms: | behave do | |
Examples: | "You should act like an adult" "Don't behave like a fool" "What makes her do this way?" "She played the servant her husband's master" |
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Related terms: | make swell ramp break_down play joke romanticize sentimentalise act_involuntarily swagger dally quack loosen_up stooge piffle vulgarise make make_as_if optimize bungle freeze frivol backslap hugger_mugger sauce footle bend_over_backwards follow presume wanton menace act_up dissemble | |
5. | [ noun ] (theater,writing) a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet | |
Related terms: | dramatic_composition play opera ballet scene | |
6. | [ verb ] (theater) play a role or part | |
Synonyms: | play represent | |
Examples: | "Gielgud played Hamlet" "She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role" "She played the servant to her husband's master" |
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Related terms: | re-create enact impersonate spoof act_out make masquerade support emote performing_arts play actor play acting theatrical_performance | |
7. | [ verb ] (work) discharge one's duties | |
Examples: | "She acts as the chair" "In what capacity are you acting?" |
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Related terms: | serve criticise bank actor | |
8. | [ noun ] (theater,performing arts) a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program | |
Synonyms: | number routine bit turn | |
Examples: | "he did his act three times every evening" "she had a catchy little routine" "it was one of the best numbers he ever did" |
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Related terms: | performance show-stopper | |
9. | [ verb ] pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind | |
Synonyms: | play act_as | |
Examples: | "He acted the idiot" "She plays deaf when the news are bad" |
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10. | [ verb ] be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure | |
Related terms: | play drive_around walk_around action | |
11. | [ verb ] (theater,performing arts) perform on a stage or theater | |
Synonyms: | roleplay playact play | |
Examples: | "She acts in this play" "He acted in "Julius Caesar" "I played in "A Christmas Carol" |
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Related terms: | perform mime stooge underact overact dramaturgy play play play roleplaying actor acting barnstormer | |
12. | [ verb ] behave unnaturally or affectedly | |
Synonyms: | pretend dissemble | |
Examples: | "She's just acting" |
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Related terms: | simulate | |
13. | [ verb ] (theater) be suitable for theatrical performance | |
Examples: | : "This scene acts well" |
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Related terms: | be | |
14. | [ verb ] have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected | |
Synonyms: | work | |
Examples: | "The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought" "This method doesn't work" "The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water" |
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Related terms: | succeed bring | |
15. | [ noun ] a manifestation of insincerity | |
Examples: | "he put on quite an act for her benefit" |
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Related terms: | expression dissemble | |
16. | [ noun ] (psychology) the performance of some composite cognitive activity; an operation that affects mental contents | |
Synonyms: | process cognitive_operation operation mental_process cognitive_process | |
Examples: | "the process of thinking" "the cognitive operation of remembering" |
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Related terms: | cognition basic_cognitive_process higher_cognitive_process psychology | |
Similar spelling: |
ACTH acute Aceto acuity acuate Actaea Acheta acquit acid Acedo |