action

noun

ˈak-shən How to pronounce action (audio)
Definition of actionnext
1
as in thing
something done by someone judge people by their actions, not by their words

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2
as in plot
the unfolding of events in a dramatic or literary work the mystery writer displays a sure hand in managing the novel's complicated but never incoherent action

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3
as in lawsuit
a court case for enforcing a right or claim filed an action in county court to recover his lawn mower from his neighbor, who claims he "gave" it to her

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4
as in field
active fighting during the course of a war the battalion saw action soon after it arrived in France

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5
as in behavior
actions plural the way or manner in which one conducts oneself observing the actions of mice in various controlled settings helps scientists understand the effects of certain drugs

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6
as in ambition
readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity the wilderness was tamed by men and women of action

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of action The images — found in a search by The Washington Post — follow other controversial actions and rhetoric from former Collins staffers and other Collins associates that have dogged his Senate campaign. — Liz Goodwin, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026 And in New Mexico, the state pursued its own enforcement action, alleging that Meta endangered children and violated state consumer protection law. — Carolina Rossini, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 Call to action In September 2025, NASA put out a call to action to save Swift, whose orbit was decaying quickly due to high solar activity. — Leonard David, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026 If Canada goes further, the US official said, its actions would provide the legal basis for the US to impose another round of tariffs on Canada under Section 338. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for action
Recent Examples of Synonyms for action
  1. thing
  2. plot
  3. lawsuit
  4. field
  5. behavior
  6. ambition
  7. act
  8. story
Noun
  • Underneath the friendly little pixel clock, though, the presence of an ESP32 makes things interesting, and Ulanzi has done something rather unusual.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The cult member says some predictably culty things about how Thom doesn’t need his father or his friends for guidance.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of thing
Noun
  • He is accused of orchestrating the plot to fly hijacked passenger jetliners into the World Trade Center in New York City and into the Pentagon.
    — Steve Gorman, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Part of the deal hinges on a future road connection that could make use of the plot immediately behind the house.
    — Noah Daly August 27, Idaho Statesman, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of plot
Noun
  • The Thursday ruling came after Democrats and voting rights groups filed a fresh round of lawsuits to comply with the recent Supreme Court decision.
    — Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Conor Fitzpatrick, an attorney with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which brought the lawsuit, praised the ruling.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of lawsuit
Noun
  • Min Woo Lee leads the field at the 2026 Tour Championship after one round of play, with a score of -8.
    — Data Skrive, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The National Federation of Motion Pictures and Contents Associations, Thailand’s Oscar selection body, chose the film from 51 eligible titles after narrowing the field to eight.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of field
Noun
  • King was the same person before and after, even if her behaviors became less mysterious.
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • If a maxxing trend encourages awareness of healthy behavior, that can be genuinely useful.
    — Jennifer Donnelly, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of behavior
Noun
  • Ahead of her Edinburgh appearance, Lyvers talked to THR about her team’s original content strategy, why ambition and characters are key, Sky’s film slate and how important, or not, franchises and star power are.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The platform links brand clients with filmmakers around the world to turn advertising messages into standalone films with real narrative ambition, rather than conventional commercials.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of ambition
Noun
  • The last act before festival founder Olivia Rodrigo, Roan turned it out with all of her powers—bolstered by a bold and bitchy, razor-sharp bob.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Here below, France’s own long-drink-of-water goalie Robin Risser does his best Beckham follow-on act with a stately Louis Vuitton carry-all with their trademark leather trim at the stress points.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of act
Noun
  • Like all other alumni interviewed for this story, one of the first things Oberlander mentioned about her love for Killian was athletics — football games in particular.
    — Austin Horn August 29, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Your stories are a great reminder of what sports teaches high school students about life.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of story

Phrases Containing action

Browse Nearby Words

acting up
action
actionable
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Cite this Entry

“Action.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/action. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on action

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about action

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