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 fantasy action series, which currently does not have a release date, will also star Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Max Parker, Mandy Patinkin, Alastair Duncan, Danny Woodburn, Jeff Gulka and Ed Skrein. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 Funding shortfalls and political fights over who should pay for childcare have stalled federal action, leaving states to deploy one-off surpluses while families’ need and waitlists keep swelling. — Moriah Balingit, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 The reporter, and not Russini, obtained the key information about Vrabel’s thoughts about certain actions from the front office. — Mike Semel, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Reached for comment Wednesday, Moriarty compared the Justice Department’s decision to overrule Evans to its actions after ICE agents killed Renee Good. — Megan Rose, ProPublica, 3 Sep. 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
  • University of St Andrews primatologist Catherine Hobaiter and Dartmouth College anthropologist Nathaniel Jay Dominy think these two things – fire and human speech – may be fundamentally linked.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Despite the slower pace of things pre-internet, all 250,000 tickets had gone within nine hours.
    — Devinder Bains, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of thing
Noun
  • In June, the FBI arrested five suspects in an alleged plot to target the Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House South Lawn with explosive-laden drones.
    — Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Other rules, such as removing shoes and the 3-1-1 liquids policy, were implemented in response to later, separate terrorist plots.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 3 Sep. 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
  • The utility company says more than 2,600 storm response workers are working to restore power, with another 800 field workers from outside Michigan on the way to assist.
    — Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Malkovich is considered by prognosticators to be firmly in the mix in what is a very competitive best actor category this awards season with Matt Damon, Tom Cruise, Robert Pattinson, Andrew Scott, Sebastian Stan and Javier Bardem among a deep field.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 3 Sep. 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
  • The group tied David Ellison’s merger ambitions to his billionaire father’s expansive network of businesses, which now include TikTok.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Near term, political pushback against data centers is a bigger risk for GEV than Musk's ambitions.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 1 Sep. 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on action

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about action

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