Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

acting

[ak-ting] / ˈæk tɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
substituting in a role
Synonyms
STRONG
adjutant alternate assistant delegated deputy interim surrogate temporary
WEAK
ad interim pro tem pro tempore provisional
Antonyms
WEAK
permanent
NOUN
entertaining, performing
Synonyms
STRONG
assuming characterization depiction dramatics dramatizing enacting enactment feigning hamming histrionics imitating imitation impersonation improvisation mime mimicry pantomime performance playing portrayal portraying posing posturing pretending pretense putting rendition seeming simulating stagecraft stooging theatre theatricals
WEAK
play acting showing off

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They are responding by acting with less restraint and in some cases are working directly within the Iranian military command structure, analysts said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

"After Baby Reindeer, I thought 'I'm not doing that again'. I wanted a break from acting, which can be very taxing, especially if you're showrunning too."

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

Cheung said Chavez-DeRemer's deputy Keith Sonderling would step up as acting labor secretary, but it was not clear who Trump has in mind as her permanent replacement.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

Rather than acting like a typical DNA segregation system that forms spindle-like structures in the cell interior, this system operates at the membrane level and appears to organize cell structure.

From Science Daily • Apr. 20, 2026

I was laughing and watching what was going on when I realized why the monkeys were acting so strangely.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls