Synonyms for

Acting

Verb / ˈæktɪŋ / Another word for acting — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

the art or profession of performing fictional roles in plays, films, or television shows

Synonyms & similar words

move play dissemble roleplay playing work playact act playacting represent do refrain actas performing pretend behave performing drama theater stagecraft theatricals playacting impersonation enactment portrayal representation imitation emoting dramatization pretending theatrics showing presentation showmanship thespianism

Synonyms by register

Formal

performing portraying representing embodying

Informal

faking pretending putting on a show playing a part

Literary

feigning mimicking enacting

Antonyms

idleness inactivity passivity stillness laziness repose

Common collocations

  • acting career
  • acting skills
  • acting coach
  • acting class
  • acting role
  • acting profession
  • acting agency

Word family

noun actor
verb act
adjective acting
adverb acting

Usage note

The word 'acting' can refer to the profession of performing or the action of behaving in a particular way. Be mindful of context to avoid ambiguity.

Example sentences

  1. I am going to acting class after school.
  2. He is very good at acting like a clown.
  3. She has been acting in plays since she was five years old.
  4. The acting in that movie was terrible.
  5. My favorite thing about acting is being on stage.

Quotes

  • Acting is a question of absorbing other people's personalities and adding some of your own experience. - Paul Newman
  • Acting is not being emotional, but being able to express emotion. - Kate Reid
  • Acting is the expression of a neurotic impulse. It's a bum's life. - Marlon Brando

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