Acts
noun
ˈakts 
plural in form but singular in construction
: a book in the New Testament narrating the beginnings of the Christian church
called also Acts of the Apostles
see Bible Table
Word History
First Known Use
1539, in the meaning defined above
acts 1 of 2
noun
1
as in routines
a performance regularly presented by an individual or group in his nightclub act he impersonates a veritable galaxy of movie stars Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- routines
- numbers
- turns
- shticks
- schticks
- bits
- shtiks
- signatures
2
as in shows
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive was putting on an act when she said she didn't mind being left out of the outing Synonyms & Similar Words
- shows
- guises
- masquerades
- poses
- pretenses
- facades
- charades
- disguises
- performances
- airs
- pretences
- fronts
- personae
- semblances
- put-ons
- impersonations
- appearances
- portrayals
- pretexts
- dissimulations
- duplicities
- façades
- deceptions
- cloaks
- deceits
- guiles
- frauds
- affectations
- betrayals
- treacheries
- perfidies
- double-dealings
- glosses
- excuses
- camouflages
- treasons
- fakeries
- images
- double crosses
- personas
- colors
- infidelities
- falsities
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- candors
- sincerities
- naïvetés
- naivetes
- naivetés
3
as in laws
a rule of conduct or action laid down by a governing authority and especially a legislature the Americans with Disabilities Act requires public buildings to have wheelchair access Synonyms & Similar Words
- laws
- bills
- ordinances
- amendments
- statutes
- enactments
- prohibitions
- constitutions
- legislations
- decrees
- regulations
- dictates
- edicts
- rules
- rulings
- ground rules
- commandments
- common law
- directives
- bylaws
- commands
- restrictions
- fiats
- blue laws
- proscriptions
- canons
- capitularies
- encyclicals
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- higher laws
4
as in things
something done by someone it's acts such as this—lying about having to work late—that make me feel like I can't trust you Synonyms & Similar Words
- things
- actions
- feats
- deeds
- doings
- activities
- experiences
- accomplishments
- achievements
- works
- exploits
- initiatives
- performances
- stunts
- moves
- dealings
- undertakings
- adventures
- steps
- tactics
- enterprises
- proceedings
- procedures
- maneuvers
- operations
- attainments
- handiworks
- co-actions
- measures
- tricks
- emprises
- coactions
acts
2 of 2verb
1
as in plays
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
- plays
- performs
- portrays
- interprets
- depicts
- does
- represents
- impersonates
- enacts
- acts out
- pantomimes
- renders
- masquerades
- dramatizes
- mimes
- mimics
- imitates
- playacts
- clowns
- overacts
- overplays
- underplays
- takes on
- coacts
- role-plays
- apes
- hams
- costars
- poses (as)
- stars (in)
2
as in works
to produce a desired effect the painkiller acted surprisingly quickly Synonyms & Similar Words
- works
- performs
- operates
- reacts
- takes
- responds
- takes effect
- behaves
- results
- influences
- affects
- takes hold
- sways
- pans out
- redounds
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- backfires
- fizzles
3
as in seems
to give the impression of being always acting helpless, just to get attention Synonyms & Similar Words
- seems
- sounds
- feels
- looks
- appears
- makes
- pretends
- resembles
- implies
- suggests
- comes off (as)
- dissembles
- insinuates
- recalls
- hints
- comes across (as)
4
as in functions
to have a certain purpose the tail feathers of woodpeckers act as props while the birds excavate tree trunks for insects Synonyms & Similar Words
- functions
- serves
- works
- performs
- operates
- controls
- regulates
- guides
- handles
- directs
- runs
- administers
- manages
- supervises
- oversees
- carries on
5
as in pretends
to present a false appearance of if you act confident long enough, you'll begin to actually feel it Synonyms & Similar Words
- pretends
- simulates
- assumes
- affects
- feigns
- professes
- plays
- masquerades
- dissembles
- conceals
- shams
- counterfeits
- poses
- makes believe
- bluffs
- imitates
- forges
- dissimulates
- fakes
- puts on
- passes (for)
- disguises
- playacts
- masks
- impersonates
- camouflages
- lets on
- feints
- malingers
6
as in mocks
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
- plays
- mocks
- personates
- imitates
- portrays
- impersonates
- mimes
- parodies
- mimics
- travesties
- performs
- copies
- masquerades (as)
- monkeys
- poses (as)
- apes