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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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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 In 2024, days before trial was to begin, the parties reached a landmark settlement in which the state agreed to take concrete actions to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. Alexandra Klass, The Conversation, 2 May 2025 With their ability to both ping enemy squads and veil their allies, the reconnaissance Runners held much higher value in most maps than the ones predicated on moment-to-moment action. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2025 Beyond tariffs, the federal spending cuts have continued, as have deportations and other anti-immigration actions. Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 2 May 2025 Our motivations—both intrinsic and extrinsic—propel us to acquire new skills, build meaningful relationships and progressively assert our autonomy by taking control of our actions. Davide Sartini, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for action
Recent Examples of Synonyms for action
Noun
  • Isaac has done a terrible thing to this person, and that is important to see.
    Adam B. Vary, Variety, 5 May 2025
  • Working on the show is different from a lot of other things, especially in TV.
    Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 5 May 2025
Noun
  • Pretending to love the enemy, spurred on by her real love, the romantic plot provides the film’s clever, titillating energy.
    Paul Vidich, People.com, 2 May 2025
  • Days after Entertainment Weekly learned that the Scandal star and Onyx Collective are developing a reboot of the classic ABC dramedy, Washington teased plot details for the upcoming project to The View cohosts in response to a question from Ana Navarro.
    Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • The administration argues that, for now, Trump should be able to impose the change on everyone except the eighteen parents named in the lawsuits or, at most, any member of two immigrant rights groups or residents of a state that challenged the policy.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 12 May 2025
  • But in others cases, the waste-haulers have the landowners’ permission to dump — but are disposing waste that should be going to landfills equipped to handle household and industrial waste, lawsuits claim.
    Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025
Noun
  • Both teams’ trainers joined EMS to get him onto a cart and off the field.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 4 May 2025
  • Patrick, 29, and Brady, 47 — who have a history, both on and off the field — snapped a photo together at the exclusive bash, which was held at Carbone Miami on South Beach.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • Prosecutors were aiming to bring their own expert: Dr. James W. Crosby, a retired sheriff’s lieutenant and canine behavior consultant.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • Like many department stores in recent years, Kohl’s has spent the last few years in turmoil and has struggled to recover from shifting consumer behavior.
    Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • In a city once known primarily for its architectural ambitions, a new identity has taken shape as an epicenter of global contemporary art.
    Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 2 May 2025
  • Simply making a full return to the sport that has been her life is the bottom rung of Haidar’s ambitions.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • Balancing family and business is often framed as an impossible juggling act—one where something always has to give.
    Jon Stojan, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Brought in as a response to 66 fans losing their lives in a crush at Ibrox four years earlier, the act (known as the Green Guide) introduced a compulsory licensing system for grounds in the top two divisions.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • Despite the fallout, Owens remains firm in her belief that Ye’s story has been misrepresented and his mental health unfairly weaponized.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 5 May 2025
  • For visitors, understanding this context in advance helps make sense of the powerful stories found in its streets and public spaces.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Action.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/action. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

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