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 This helps preserve legitimate business activity while removing the effects of an unintended action with limited downtime and a clear audit trail. — Rick Vanover, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Under this section of the National Historic Preservation Act, federal agencies must evaluate the impact their actions could have on any historic properties and try to minimize harm. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 6 Aug. 2026 But taken together, such actions would increase the political price the president would pay for continuing to wage war in a reckless manner. — Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026 Midnight Madness also has a first look for Kick On, an action horror thriller from Nick Kozakis, and about a night of partying by four friends descending into a spiral of paranoia, violence and betrayals. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 6 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
  • The vibes are awkward all around, and things only get weirder when Emira pulls Georgia aside to chat.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Here are a few gentle reminders to help ground you when things begin to feel a little shaky.
    — Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of thing
Noun
  • This new environment is a fertile plot to support the growth of crypto real estate transactions as local businesses and legal systems become more accustomed to virtual currency transactions.
    — K.H. Koehler, Ascend Agency, 6 Aug. 2026
  • There is plenty of bloodshed and adrenaline, but those action scenes serve mostly as retribution and to tie up loose plot points.
    — Whitney Friedlander, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of plot
Noun
  • No law required it, no lawsuit compelled it, and the commission had not even reported.
    — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • There is, of course, the question of why the Guthries would want to put themselves through such a lawsuit, even a winnable one.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of lawsuit
Noun
  • After an intentional walk to Seiya Suzuki, Crow-Armstrong took off for third and came around when the throw from Valenzuela glanced off Josh Smith’s glove and into short left field.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The edge defender walked off the field with team trainers and did not return, though Koonce continued to practice.
    — Sam Warren, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of field
Noun
  • The findings provide fresh insight into how closely human behavior influences the Earth’s subtle seismic signals, while also helping to dispel the long-standing myth that eclipses can trigger earthquakes.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The corresponding non-chiral electrodes did not show the same behavior.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of behavior
Noun
  • The film takes cannibalism – rarely broached in Malaysian popular cinema – as both literal premise and social metaphor, training its lens on characters pushed to extremes by poverty and ambition.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
  • In 2022, Richard Sutcliffe finally realised a 40-year ambition by ticking off his few remaining grounds in a five-part series for The Athletic.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of ambition
Noun
  • While investigations into their death continues, experts say there are indications that some of the influencers did have relationships with criminal organizations and were killed as acts of reprisal by rival factions.
    — Rey Rodríguez, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • After working for more than a decade in club music’s trenches, the brothers now aspired to be not merely DJs, but a dance-music act known for spectacular live performances.
    — Will Pritchard, Pitchfork, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of act
Noun
  • Davis has provided accounts of his role in Tupac’s murder a number of times, and his story has remained fairly consistent over the years.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • This collaboration represents a step in enabling filmmakers and creators to tell more immersive, emotionally rich stories with the highest global standards.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 8 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 10 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on action

Nglish: Translation of action for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about action

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