1
as in thing
something done by someone
judge people by their actions, not by their words
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in field
active fighting during the course of a war
the battalion saw action soon after it arrived in France
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in ambition
readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity
the wilderness was tamed by men and women of action
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Everything looked ready to crumble from there, and that was the story of the first set for Anisimova, a portrait of nerves in action.
—
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 12 July 2025
The warning required immediate action by Orange County Global, which contracted with a vendor that same day to process the untested specimens.
—Scott Schwebke, Oc Register, 12 July 2025
The 52-page decision released Friday evening by Frimpong comes after weeks of media coverage of shocking scenes of militaristic law enforcement actions unfolding across Southern California.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 12 July 2025
That’s the only chance the Hornets have to make a deep run in summer league action.
—Roderick Boone
updated July 11, Charlotte Observer, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for action
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 12 July 2025
The warning required immediate action by Orange County Global, which contracted with a vendor that same day to process the untested specimens.
—Scott Schwebke, Oc Register, 12 July 2025
The 52-page decision released Friday evening by Frimpong comes after weeks of media coverage of shocking scenes of militaristic law enforcement actions unfolding across Southern California.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 12 July 2025
That’s the only chance the Hornets have to make a deep run in summer league action.
—Roderick Boone
updated July 11, Charlotte Observer, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for action
Recent Examples of Synonyms for action
Noun
-
The downside is that each method has a potential reaction from the AGI or ASI that could turn things ugly.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
Meanwhile…things haven’t looked so good for Starbucks in China recently, and not just because its baristas can’t spell names in Chinese characters, either.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
The songs, the plot, the characters — the performances are first rate, but the actors depend deeply on the movie’s performances to inform their own — and of course the DeLorean.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
-
Though plot details for Wake Up Dead Man remain tightly under wraps, audiences can expect the return of the shrewd detective parsing through yet another murderous mystery.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
The family filed the lawsuit last August against Read and the Canton bars C.F. McCarthy’s and Waterfall Bar & Grille — where Read and O’Keefe drank together immediately preceding his death.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
10 July 2025
-
The lawsuit comes as Kentucky rent costs have sharply increased, with nearly half of renters considered cost-burdened.—
Marina Johnson,
The Courier-Journal,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
In 2018, the sunken vessel was discovered in Bitter End’s mooring field and carefully resurfaced.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
6 July 2025
-
From January to early June, ICE’s San Diego field office made 1,042 arrests, compared to 602 last year and 191 in 2023.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
As for longer-simmering, perhaps more structural market behaviors that should raise eyebrows?—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
12 July 2025
-
His studies included classes on forensic psychology, death investigation, and antisocial behavior, per NewsNation.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
Now back in her hometown of Chicago, the MIT prodigy and armor-building genius is chasing her ambitions — while also getting entangled with the mysterious Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos), a.k.a.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
The bet is a next leg of L’Oréal’s increasing ambitions in the beauty-tech space, fueled by efforts to bring forth tech innovations that are accessible and solve solutions for everyday consumers.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
Forty-two years after that, Titus captured and destroyed the city of Jerusalem; that act avenged the murder of Christ.—
Mary Jo Bang
July 9,
Literary Hub,
9 July 2025
-
The Canadian metal juggernauts will be joined by progressive metal stalwarts Periphery and rising alt-pop act Honey Revenge for the 19-date run, which kicks off Nov. 12 in Ontario, California, and wraps up Dec. 7 in Wallingford, Connecticut.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
Nicholas Rice,
People.com,
5 July 2025
-
For beautiful views of the Tennessee River and Wilson Dam, head to this greenspace with a scenic 1.3-mile trail along the waterfront with interpretive displays sharing stories about Florence’s history.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Action.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/action. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share