act
Other forms: acting; acted; acts
When you do something, you act. A commercial that says "Act now!" means "Get up from the couch and order me! This minute!"
Act is both a noun and a verb. You can perform an act of kindness or violence. Or, you can act in a play. People who take on roles and perform them are actors. Likewise, plays, operas, and ballets are broken down into acts. You may have seen references to Shakespeare's plays, such as "Act I, Scene IV." Comedians refer to their shows as acts. Other performers, from magicians to lion tamers, sometimes do the same: a magic act is a magician's show.
Definitions of act
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behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself“You should act like an adult”“The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people”
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act as, play
pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
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dissemble, pretend
behave unnaturally or affectedly
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types:
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act involuntarily, act reflexively
act in an uncontrolled manner
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bend over backwards, fall over backwards
try very hard to please someone
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presume
take liberties or act with too much confidence
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vulgarise, vulgarize
act in a vulgar manner
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optimise, optimize
act as an optimist and take a sunny view of the world
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quack
act as a medical quack or a charlatan
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menace
act in a threatening manner
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make
act in a certain way so as to acquire
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bluster, swagger, swash
act in an arrogant, overly self-assured, or conceited manner
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freeze
suddenly behave coldly and formally
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wanton
behave extremely cruelly and brutally
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romanticize
act in a romantic way
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sentimentalise, sentimentalize, sentimentise, sentimentize
act in a sentimental way or indulge in sentimental thoughts or expression
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bungle
spoil by behaving clumsily or foolishly
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play, toy
engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
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act as, play
pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
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stooge
act as a stooge, in a compliant or subordinate manner
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jest, joke
act in a funny or teasing way
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piffle
act in a trivial or ineffective way
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make
behave in a certain way
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make as if
begin or appear to begin an action
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break down, lose it, snap
lose control of one's emotions
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dally, dawdle
waste time
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backslap
display excessive cordiality (towards)
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hugger mugger
act stealthily or secretively
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sauce
behave saucily or impudently towards
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footle
act foolishly, as by talking nonsense
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frivol, trifle
act frivolously
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puff up, swell
become filled with pride, arrogance, or anger
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follow
accept and follow the leadership or command or guidance of
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loosen up, relax
become less tense, less formal, or less restrained, and assume a friendlier manner
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rage, ramp, storm
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
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sneeze
exhale spasmodically, as when an irritant entered one's nose
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blink, nictate, nictitate, wink
briefly shut the eyes
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fart
expel intestinal gases through the anus
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salivate
produce saliva
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antic, clown, clown around
act as or like a clown
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dissolve
lose control emotionally
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die
be brought to or as if to the point of death by an intense emotion such as embarrassment, amusement, or shame
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fall apart, go to pieces
lose one's emotional or mental composure
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act as, play
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perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)“think before you act”“The governor should act on the new energy bill”“The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel”
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synonyms:
move
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types:
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alternate, take turns
do something in turns
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end up, fetch up, finish, finish up, land up, wind up
finally be or do something
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festinate, hasten, hurry, look sharp, rush
act or move at high speed
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disturb, interrupt
destroy the peace or tranquility of
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react, respond
show a response or a reaction to something
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go ahead, plow ahead
proceed (with a plan of action)
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aggress, attack
take the initiative and go on the offensive
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force
do forcibly; exert force
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create
pursue a creative activity; be engaged in a creative activity
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come forward, come out, come to the fore, step forward, step to the fore, step up
make oneself visible; take action
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pay back, repay, reward
act or give recompense in recognition of someone's behavior or actions
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satisfice, satisfise
decide on and pursue a course of action satisfying the minimum requirements to achieve a goal
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maneuver, manoeuver, manoeuvre
act in order to achieve a certain goal
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dispatch
dispose of rapidly and without delay and efficiently
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evade
practice evasion
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race
to work as fast as possible towards a goal, sometimes in competition with others
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use
habitually do something (use only in the past tense)
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play it by ear
decide on one's actions as one goes along, depending on the situation
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play
act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
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deal
take action with respect to (someone or something)
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partner
act as a partner
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exert
make a great effort at a mental or physical task
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egotrip
act in a way that attracts attention
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reciprocate
act, feel, or give mutually or in return
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go, move, proceed
follow a procedure or take a course
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come close
nearly do something
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perform
perform a function
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dare, make bold, presume
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
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engage, prosecute, pursue
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
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act on
regulate one's behavior in accordance with certain information, ideas, or advice
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interact
act together or towards others or with others
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oppose, react
act against or in opposition to
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take time by the forelock
act quickly and decisively; not let slip an opportunity
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coact
act together, as of organisms
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offer, volunteer
agree freely
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get around to
do something despite obstacles such as lack of time
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dally, flirt, play, toy
behave carelessly or indifferently
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approach, go about, set about
begin to deal with
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participate, take part
share in something
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misbehave, misconduct, misdemean
behave badly
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condescend, lower oneself, stoop
debase oneself morally, act in an undignified, unworthy, or dishonorable way
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acquit, bear, behave, carry, comport, conduct, deport
behave in a certain manner
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behave, comport
behave well or properly
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assay, attempt, essay, seek, try
make an effort or attempt
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court, romance, solicit, woo
make amorous advances towards
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court
engage in social activities leading to marriage
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dare
be courageous enough to try or do something
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effect
act so as to bring into existence
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antagonise, antagonize, counteract
act in opposition to
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anticipate, counter, foresee, forestall
act in advance of; deal with ahead of time
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prosecute
conduct a prosecution in a court of law
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commit, perpetrate, pull
perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
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rampage
act violently, recklessly, or destructively
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contend, cope, deal, get by, grapple, make do, make out, manage
come to terms with
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condescend, deign, descend
do something that one considers to be below one's dignity
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condescend
behave in a patronizing and condescending manner
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take care
be careful, prudent, or watchful
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act superior, lord it over, put on airs, queen it over
act like the master of
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stampede
act, usually en masse, hurriedly or on an impulse
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make a point, make sure
make a point of doing something; act purposefully and intentionally
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repeat, take over
do over
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surprise
come upon or take unawares
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smuggle, sneak
put, bring, or take in a secretive or furtive manner
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play
behave in a certain way
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take
carry out
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guard
take precautions in order to avoid some unwanted consequence
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begin, start
begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object
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go off at half-cock, go off half-cocked
act prematurely or without reflection or too soon
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hold back, hold off, wait
wait before acting
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continue, go along, go on, keep, proceed
continue a certain state, condition, or activity
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do well, had best
act in one's own or everybody's best interest
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continue
continue after an interruption
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continue, persist in
do something repeatedly and showing no intention to stop
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spell
take turns working
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treat
regard or consider in a specific way
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bristle
react in an offended or angry manner
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collude, conspire
act in unison or agreement and in secret towards a deceitful or illegal purpose
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flip, flip out
react in an excited, delighted, or surprised way
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overreact
show an exaggerated response to something
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answer
react to a stimulus or command
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accept
be sexually responsive to, used of a female domesticated mammal
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stool
react to a decoy, of wildfowl
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respond
respond favorably or as hoped
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greet
react to in a certain way
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explode
show a violent emotional reaction
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accept
react favorably to; consider right and proper
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answer
respond to a signal
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communicate, intercommunicate
transmit thoughts or feelings
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reach out
attempt to communicate
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balk, decline, refuse
show unwillingness towards
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accept, consent, go for
give an affirmative reply to; respond favorably to
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confront, face, face up
deal with (something unpleasant) head on
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condescend, patronise, patronize
treat condescendingly
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marvel, wonder
be amazed at
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pick up the gauntlet, take a dare
be dared to do something and attempt it
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acknowledge, notice
express recognition of the presence or existence of, or acquaintance with
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communicate
be in verbal contact; interchange information or ideas
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check
place into check
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fork
place under attack with one's own pieces, of two enemy pieces
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harass
exhaust by attacking repeatedly
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pin
immobilize a piece
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tackle
seize and throw down an opponent player, who usually carries the ball
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pull
apply force so as to cause motion towards the source of the motion
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draw
engage in drawing
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paint
make a painting
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build
be engaged in building
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fluster
be flustered; behave in a confused manner
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control, keep in line, manipulate
control (others or oneself) or influence skillfully, usually to one's advantage
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church
perform a special church rite or service for
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transact
conduct business
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return
return in kind
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overexert
exert (oneself) excessively and go beyond one's strength
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work
proceed towards a goal or along a path or through an activity
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embark, venture
proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
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steamroll, steamroller
proceed with great force
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assert, put forward
insist on having one's opinions and rights recognized
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commit, practice
engage in or perform
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close
engage at close quarters
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politick
engage in political activities
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act on, follow up on, pursue
carry further or advance
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marginalise, marginalize
relegate to a lower or outer edge, as of specific groups of people
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deal
behave in a certain way towards others
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combine
join for a common purpose or in a common action
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have
have a personal or business relationship with someone
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buck, go against
resist
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officiate
act in an official capacity in a ceremony or religious ritual, such as a wedding
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invite, pay for
have as a guest
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socialise, socialize
take part in social activities; interact with others
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connect, get in touch, touch base
establish communication with someone
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fight, struggle
make a strenuous or labored effort
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assemble, foregather, forgather, gather, meet
collect in one place
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partake in
be active in
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relate
have or establish a relationship to
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do by, handle, treat
interact in a certain way
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fall all over
display excessive love or show excessive gratitude towards
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fall from grace
revert back to bad behavior after a period of good behavior
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act up, carry on
misbehave badly; act in a silly or improper way
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walk around
behave in a certain manner or have certain properties
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walk
live or behave in a specified manner
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assert oneself
put oneself forward in an assertive and insistent manner
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pose, posture
behave affectedly or unnaturally in order to impress others
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give it a try, have a go
make an attempt at something
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grope
search blindly or uncertainly
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endeavor, endeavour, strive
attempt by employing effort
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give it a try, give it a whirl
try
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chase, chase after
pursue someone sexually or romantically
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display
attract attention by displaying some body part or posing; of animals
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interfere, interpose, intervene, step in
get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force
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adventure, chance, gamble, hazard, risk, run a risk, take a chance, take chances
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
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lay on the line, put on the line, risk
expose to a chance of loss or damage
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bring to bear
bring into operation or effect
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carry
extend to a certain degree
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backdate
make effective from an earlier date
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make
carry out or commit
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recommit
commit once again, as of a crime
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riot
take part in a riot; disturb the public peace by engaging in a riot
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extemporize, improvise
manage in a makeshift way; make do with whatever is at hand
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fend
try to manage without help
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cut, hack
be able to manage or manage successfully
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rub along, scrape along, scrape by, scratch along, squeak by, squeeze by
manage one's existence barely
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affiliate, associate, assort, consort
keep company with; hang out with
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philander, womanise, womanize
have amorous affairs; of men
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cope with, match, meet
satisfy or fulfill
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blindside
catch unawares, especially with harmful consequences
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remember oneself
recover one's good manners after a lapse or stop behaving badly
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hold out
wait uncompromisingly for something desirable
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delay
act later than planned, scheduled, or required
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hold
remain in a certain state, position, or condition
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keep going, run on
continue uninterrupted
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ride
continue undisturbed and without interference
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refuse, reject, resist
resist immunologically the introduction of some foreign tissue or organ
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reprise
repeat, renew, or resume some action
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be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure
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types:
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play
be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
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drive around
drive without any particular aim
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walk around
walk randomly
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roughhouse
engage in rough or disorderly play
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fool, fool around, horse around
indulge in horseplay
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cavort, disport, frisk, frolic, gambol, lark, lark about, rollick, romp, run around, skylark, sport
play boisterously
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dabble, paddle, splash around
play in or as if in water, as of small children
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have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected“The breaks of my new car act quickly”
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synonyms:
work
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type of:
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bring home the bacon, come through, deliver the goods, succeed, win
attain success or reach a desired goal
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bring home the bacon, come through, deliver the goods, succeed, win
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discharge one's duties
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pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
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behave unnaturally or affectedly“She's just acting”
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something that people do or cause to happen
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synonyms:
deed, human action, human activity
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types:
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action
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
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acquiring, getting
the act of acquiring something
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causation, causing
the act of causing something to happen
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delivery, obstetrical delivery
the act of delivering a child
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departure, going, going away, leaving
the act of departing
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discovery, find, uncovering
the act of discovering something
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disposal, disposition
the act or means of getting rid of something
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effectuation, implementation
the act of implementing (providing a practical means for accomplishing something); carrying into effect
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egress, egression, emergence
the act of coming (or going) out; becoming apparent
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equalisation, equalization, leveling
the act of making equal or uniform
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digging up, disinterment, exhumation
the act of digging something out of the ground (especially a corpse) where it has been buried
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mitsvah, mitzvah
(Judaism) a good deed performed out of religious duty
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actuation, propulsion
the act of propelling
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recovery, retrieval
the act of regaining or saving something lost (or in danger of becoming lost)
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running away
the act of leaving (without permission) the place you are expected to be
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touch, touching
the act of putting two things together with no space between them
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nonaccomplishment, nonachievement
an act that does not achieve its intended goal
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leaning
the act of deviating from a vertical position
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motivating, motivation
the act of motivating; providing incentive
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assumption
the act of assuming or taking for granted
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rejection
the act of rejecting something
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forfeit, forfeiture, sacrifice
the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
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derivation
the act of deriving something or obtaining something from a source or origin
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activity
any specific behavior
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hire
the act of hiring something or someone
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wear, wearing
the act of having on your person as a covering or adornment
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assessment, judgement, judgment
the act of judging or assessing a person or situation or event
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production
the act or process of producing something
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stay
continuing or remaining in a place or state
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abidance, residence, residency
the act of dwelling in a place
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inactivity
being inactive; being less active
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hinderance, hindrance, interference
the act of hindering or obstructing or impeding
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stop, stoppage
the act of stopping something
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group action
action taken by a group of people
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distribution
the act of distributing or spreading or apportioning
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legitimation
the act of rendering a person legitimate
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permissive waste, waste
(law) reduction in the value of an estate caused by act or neglect
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proclamation, promulgation
the formal act of proclaiming; giving public notice
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communicating, communication
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
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speech act
the use of language to perform some act
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thing
an action
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benignity, kindness
a kind act
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accomplishment, achievement
the action of accomplishing something
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alienation
the action of alienating; the action of causing to become unfriendly
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application
the action of putting something into operation
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res gestae
things done
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course, course of action
a mode of action
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interaction
a mutual or reciprocal action; interacting
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fetch
the action of fetching
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playing
the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation
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play, swordplay
the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
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arrival
the act of arriving at a certain place
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breaking away
departing hastily
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farewell, leave, leave-taking, parting
the act of departing politely
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French leave
an abrupt and unannounced departure (without saying farewell)
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disappearance, disappearing
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
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withdrawal
the act of withdrawing
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stand-down, standdown
(military) a temporary stop of offensive military action
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sailing
the departure of a vessel from a port
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boarding, embarkation, embarkment
the act of passengers and crew getting aboard a ship or aircraft
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exit
the act of going out
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elopement
the act of running away with a lover (usually to get married)
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escape, flight
the act of escaping physically
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surfacing
emerging to the surface and becoming apparent
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despatch, dispatch, shipment
the act of sending off something
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failure
an act that fails
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foiling, frustration, thwarting
an act of hindering someone's plans or efforts
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error, fault, mistake
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
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acquisition
the act of contracting or assuming or acquiring possession of something
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obtainment, obtention
the act of obtaining
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catching, contracting
becoming infected
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position
the act of positing; an assumption taken as a postulate or axiom
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appropriation
a deliberate act of acquisition of something, often without the permission of the owner
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moving in, occupancy, occupation
the act of occupying or taking possession of a building
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capture, gaining control, seizure
the act of forcibly dispossessing an owner of property
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repossession
the action of regaining possession (especially the seizure of collateral securing a loan that is in default)
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receipt, reception
the act of receiving
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appointment
(law) the act of disposing of property by virtue of the power of appointment
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comb-out
the act of carefully weeding out unwanted things or people
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giving
disposing of property by voluntary transfer without receiving value in return
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abandonment
the voluntary surrender of property (or a right to property) without attempting to reclaim it or give it away
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mine disposal
the disposal of explosive mines
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sewage disposal
the disposal of sewage
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reclamation
the recovery of useful substances from waste products
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deliverance, delivery, rescue, saving
recovery or preservation from loss or danger
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ransom
the act of freeing from captivity or punishment
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recapture, retaking
the act of taking something back
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invocation
the act of appealing for help
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instrumentation
the act of providing or using the instruments needed for some implementation
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carrying into action, carrying out, execution, performance
the act of performing; of doing something successfully; using knowledge as distinguished from merely possessing it
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motorisation, motorization
the act of motorizing (equiping with motors or with motor vehicles)
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launch, launching
the act of propelling with force
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launching
the act of moving a newly built vessel into the water for the first time
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drive, driving force, thrust
the act of applying force to propel something
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bowl, roll
the act of rolling something (as the ball in bowling)
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throw
the act of throwing (propelling something with a rapid movement of the arm and wrist)
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push, pushing
the act of applying force in order to move something away
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pull, pulling
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
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heave, lift, raise
the act of raising something
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ejection, expulsion, forcing out, projection
the act of expelling or projecting or ejecting
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jump, jumping
the act of jumping; propelling yourself off the ground
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lob
the act of propelling something (as a ball or shell etc.) in a high arc
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sending
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
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rolling, wheeling
propelling something on wheels
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shooting, shot
the act of firing a projectile
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contact, physical contact
the act of touching physically
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dab, pat, tap
a light touch or stroke
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hit, hitting, striking
the act of contacting one thing with another
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dig, jab
the act of touching someone suddenly with your finger or elbow
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kiss
a light glancing touch
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buss, kiss, osculation
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
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catch, grab, snap, snatch
the act of catching an object with the hands
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handling, manipulation
the action of touching with the hands (or the skillful use of the hands) or by the use of mechanical means
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fingering
touching something with the fingers
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grope
the act of groping; and instance of groping
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palpation, tactual exploration
a method of examination in which the examiner feels the size or shape or firmness or location of something (of body parts when the examiner is a health professional)
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tickle, tickling, titillation
the act of tickling
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stroke, stroking
a light touch with the hands
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tag
(sports) the act of touching a player in a game (which changes their status in the game)
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lap, lick
touching with the tongue
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grazing, shaving, skimming
the act of brushing against while passing
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tracing
the discovery and description of the course of development of something
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catching, detection, espial, spotting, spying
the act of detecting something; catching sight of something
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self-discovery
discovering your own individuality
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breakthrough
making an important discovery
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determination, finding
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
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rediscovery
the act of discovering again
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induction, initiation, trigger
an act that sets in motion some course of events
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coercion, compulsion
using force to cause something to occur
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influence
causing something without any direct or apparent effort
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inducement, inducing
act of bringing about a desired result
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choice, option, pick, selection
the act of choosing or selecting
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assigning, assignment
the act of distributing something to designated places or persons
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agency, means, way
how a result is obtained or an end is achieved
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vote
the opinion of a group as determined by voting
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balancing, reconciliation
getting two things to correspond
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equating, equation
the act of regarding as equal
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breech birth, breech delivery, breech presentation
delivery of an infant whose feet or buttocks appear first
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C-section, abdominal delivery, caesarean, caesarean delivery, caesarean section, caesarian, caesarian delivery, caesarian section, cesarean, cesarean delivery, cesarean section, cesarian, cesarian section
the delivery of a fetus by surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus (from the belief that Julius Caesar was born that way)
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forceps delivery
delivery in which forceps are inserted through the vagina and used to grasp the head of the fetus and pull it through the birth canal; since the forceps can injure the fetus this procedure has generally given way to cesarean deliveries
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midwifery
assisting women at childbirth
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change
the action of changing something
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economy, saving
an act of economizing; reduction in cost
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variance, variation
an activity that varies from a norm or standard
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forbiddance, inhibition, prohibition
the action of prohibiting or inhibiting or forbidding (or an instance thereof)
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opposition, resistance
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
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brush-off
a curt or disdainful rejection
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avoidance, dodging, shunning, turning away
the act of deliberately avoiding; keeping away from or preventing from happening
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abandonment, desertion, forsaking
the act of giving something up
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forgoing, forswearing, renunciation
the act of renouncing; sacrificing or giving up or surrendering (a possession or right or title or privilege etc.)
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nonacceptance, turndown
the act of refusing an offer
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banishment, proscription
rejection by means of an act of banishing or proscribing someone
-
displacement
act of removing from office or employment
-
bruxism
involuntarily or unconsciously clenching or grinding the teeth, typically during sleep
-
space walk
any kind of physical activity outside a spacecraft by one of the crew
-
procession
the group action of a collection of people or animals or vehicles moving ahead in more or less regular formation
-
takeoff
a departure; especially of airplanes
-
pickup
the act of taking aboard passengers or freight
-
transfusion
the action of pouring a liquid from one vessel to another
-
domesticity
domestic activities or life
-
operation
the activity of operating something (a machine or business etc.)
-
operation
a planned activity involving many people performing various actions
-
pattern, practice
a customary way of operation or behavior
-
practice, praxis
translating an idea into action
-
diversion, recreation
an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
-
bag, cup of tea, dish
an activity that you like or at which you are superior
-
follow-up, followup
an activity that continues something that has already begun or that repeats something that has already been done
-
game
a contest with rules to determine a winner
-
play, turn
(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
-
dribble, dribbling
the propulsion of a ball by repeated taps or kicks
-
music
musical activity (singing or whistling etc.)
-
acting, performing, playacting, playing
the performance of a part or role in a drama
-
animation, liveliness
general activity and motion
-
burst, fit
a sudden flurry of activity (often for no obvious reason)
-
work
activity directed toward making or doing something
-
deeds, works
performance of moral or religious acts
-
service
(law) the acts performed by an English feudal tenant for the benefit of his lord which formed the consideration for the property granted to him
-
business, job, line, line of work, occupation
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
-
occupation
any activity that occupies a person's attention
-
committal to writing, writing
the activity of putting something in written form
-
haemostasia, haemostasis, hemostasia, hemostasis
surgical procedure of stopping the flow of blood (as with a hemostat)
-
justice
judgment involved in the determination of rights and the assignment of rewards and punishments
-
pickings, taking
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
-
role
normal or customary activity of a person in a particular social setting
-
actus reus, misconduct, wrongdoing, wrongful conduct
activity that transgresses moral or civil law
-
carelessness, neglect, negligence, nonperformance
failure to act with the prudence that a reasonable person would exercise under the same circumstances
-
dissipation, waste, wastefulness
useless or profitless activity; using or expending or consuming thoughtlessly or carelessly
-
transgression
the action of going beyond or overstepping some boundary or limit
-
attempt, effort, endeavor, endeavour, try
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
-
control
the activity of managing or exerting control over something
-
protection
the activity of protecting someone or something
-
adjudication
the final judgment in a legal proceeding; the act of pronouncing judgment based on the evidence presented
-
disapproval
the act of disapproving or condemning
-
evaluation, rating
act of ascertaining or fixing the value or worth of
-
estimate, estimation
a judgment of the qualities of something or somebody
-
logistic assessment
a judgment of the logistic support required for some particular military operation
-
value judgement, value judgment
an assessment that reveals more about the values of the person making the assessment than about the reality of what is assessed
-
sensory activity
activity intended to achieve a particular sensory result
-
didactics, education, educational activity, instruction, pedagogy, teaching
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
-
grooming, preparation, training
activity leading to skilled behavior
-
representation
an activity that stands as an equivalent of something or results in an equivalent
-
creation, creative activity
the human act of creating
-
disassembly, dismantlement, dismantling
the act of taking something apart (as a piece of machinery)
-
rainmaking
activity intended to produce rain
-
devising, fashioning, making
the act that results in something coming to be
-
foliation
the production of foil by cutting or beating metal into thin leaves
-
puncture
the act of puncturing or perforating
-
hunt, hunting, search
the activity of looking thoroughly in order to find something or someone
-
employment, exercise, usage, use, utilisation, utilization
the act of using
-
action, military action
a military engagement
-
military operation, operation
activity by a military or naval force (as a maneuver or campaign)
-
battle, conflict, struggle
an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
-
revolution
the overthrow of a government by those who are governed
-
aggression, hostility
violent action that is hostile and usually unprovoked
-
measure, measurement, measuring, mensuration
the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule
-
calibration, standardisation, standardization
the act of checking or adjusting (by comparison with a standard) the accuracy of a measuring instrument
-
organisation, organization
the activity or result of distributing or disposing persons or things properly or methodically
-
grouping
the activity of putting things together in groups
-
support, supporting
the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening
-
continuance, continuation
the act of continuing an activity without interruption
-
procedure, process
a particular course of action intended to achieve a result
-
ceremony
any activity that is performed in an especially solemn elaborate or formal way
-
ceremony
the proper or conventional behavior on some solemn occasion
-
worship
the activity of worshipping
-
activating, activation, energizing
the activity of causing to have energy and be active
-
concealing, concealment, hiding
the activity of keeping something secret
-
emplacement, locating, location, placement, position, positioning
the act of putting something in a certain place
-
lodging
the act of lodging
-
occupancy, tenancy
an act of being a tenant or occupant
-
sojourn, visit
a temporary stay (e.g., as a guest)
-
layover, stop, stopover
a brief stay in the course of a journey
-
provision, supply, supplying
the activity of supplying or providing something
-
demand
the act of demanding
-
pause
temporary inactivity
-
wait, waiting
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
-
ease, relaxation, repose, rest
freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility)
-
idleness, idling, loafing
having no employment
-
delay, holdup
the act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time
-
pleasure
an activity that affords enjoyment
-
delectation, enjoyment
the act of receiving pleasure from something
-
lamentation, mourning
the passionate and demonstrative activity of expressing grief
-
laughter
the activity of laughing; the manifestation of joy or mirth or scorn
-
antagonism
(biochemistry) interference in or inhibition of the physiological action of a chemical substance by another having a similar structure
-
obstruction
the act of obstructing
-
complication
the act or process of complicating
-
deterrence
the act or process of discouraging actions or preventing occurrences by instilling fear or doubt or anxiety
-
bar, prevention
the act of preventing
-
social activity
activity considered appropriate on social occasions
-
communalism
the practice of communal living and common ownership
-
alliance, confederation
the act of forming an alliance or confederation
-
decolonisation, decolonization
the action of changing from colonial to independent status
-
disbandment
the act of disbanding
-
disestablishment
the act terminating an established state of affairs; especially ending a connection with the Church of England
-
redistribution
distributing again
-
dispensation
the act of dispensing (giving out in portions)
-
allocation, allotment, apportioning, apportionment, assignation, parceling, parcelling
the act of distributing by allotting or apportioning; distribution according to a plan
-
deal
the act of distributing playing cards
-
revenue sharing
distribution of part of the federal tax income to states and municipalities
-
share-out, sharing
a distribution in shares
-
lending, loaning
disposing of money or property with the expectation that the same thing (or an equivalent) will be returned
-
market, market place, marketplace
the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold
-
dealing, dealings, transaction
the act of transacting within or between groups (as carrying on commercial activities)
-
stampede
a headlong rush of people on a common impulse
-
social control
control exerted (actively or passively) by group action
-
politics
the activities and affairs involved in managing a state or a government
-
canalisation, canalization
the production of a canal or a conversion to canals
-
preparation, readying
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
-
coup, coup d'etat, putsch, takeover
a sudden and decisive change of government illegally or by force
-
internationalisation, internationalization
the act of bringing something under international control
-
nationalisation, nationalization
the action of forming or becoming a nation
-
destabilisation, destabilization
the action of destabilizing; making something less stable (especially of a government or country or economy)
-
exchange, interchange
the act of changing one thing for another thing
-
exchange, rally
(sports) an unbroken sequence of several successive strokes
-
compliance, submission
the act of submitting; usually surrendering power to another
-
competition, contention, rivalry
the act of competing as for profit or a prize
-
resistance
group action in opposition to those in power
-
nonresistance
group refusal to resort to violence even in defense against violence
-
due process, due process of law
(law) the administration of justice according to established rules and principles; based on the principle that a person cannot be deprived of life or liberty or property without appropriate legal procedures and safeguards
-
action
an act by a government body or supranational organization
-
legalisation, legalization, legitimation
the act of making lawful
-
separation
the social act of separating or parting company
-
desegregation, integrating, integration
the action of incorporating a racial or religious group into a community
-
cooperation
joint operation or action
-
brainstorming
a group problem-solving technique in which members spontaneously share ideas and solutions
-
aid, assist, assistance, help
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
-
support
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
-
employment, engagement
the act of giving someone a job
-
behavior, behaviour, conduct, doings
manner of acting or controlling yourself
-
behavior, behaviour
(psychology) the aggregate of the responses or reactions or movements made by an organism in any situation
-
civility, politeness
the act of showing regard for others
-
reverence
an act showing respect (especially a bow or curtsy)
-
assemblage, assembly, gathering
the social act of assembling
-
attendance, attending
the act of being present (at a meeting or event etc.)
-
nonattendance
the failure to attend
-
getting even, paying back, return
a reciprocal group action
-
democratisation, democratization
the action of making something democratic
-
engagement, involution, involvement, participation
the act of sharing in the activities of a group
-
non-engagement, non-involvement, nonparticipation
withdrawing from the activities of a group
-
emanation, emission
the act of emitting; causing to flow forth
-
leadership, leading
the activity of leading
-
precedence, precedency, precession
the act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony)
-
solo
any activity that is performed alone without assistance
-
buzz
a confusion of activity and gossip
-
fun
violent and excited activity
-
hell, sin
violent and excited activity
-
consultation, reference
the act of referring or consulting
-
accenting, accentuation, emphasizing
the act of giving special importance or significance to something
-
outlet, release, vent
activity that frees or expresses creative energy or emotion
-
last
a person's dying act; the final thing a person can do
-
beatification
the action of rendering supremely blessed and extremely happy
-
ethnic cleansing
the mass expulsion and killing of one ethnic or religious group in an area by another ethnic or religious group in that area
-
jump-start, jumpstart
starting an automobile engine that has a weak battery by means of jumper cables to another car
-
mystification, obfuscation
the activity of obscuring people's understanding, leaving them baffled or bewildered
-
negotiation
the activity or business of negotiating an agreement; coming to terms
-
socialisation, socialization
the action of establishing on a socialist basis
-
stupefaction
the action of stupefying; making dull or lethargic
-
vampirism
the actions or practices of a vampire
-
transmission
communication by means of transmitted signals
-
intercommunication
mutual communication; communication with each other
-
medium
an intervening substance through which signals can travel as a means for communication
-
channel, communication channel, line
(often plural) a means of communication or access
-
mail, mail service, post, postal service
the system whereby messages are transmitted via the post office
-
congratulation, felicitation
the act of acknowledging that someone has an occasion for celebration
-
slander
words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another
-
dramatic art, dramatics, dramaturgy, theater, theatre
the art of writing and producing plays
-
verbalisation, verbalization
the activity of expressing something in words
-
discourse, discussion, treatment
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
-
exhortation
a communication intended to urge or persuade the recipients to take some action
-
expression, verbal expression, verbalism
the communication (in speech or writing) of your beliefs or opinions
-
proposal, proposition
the act of making a proposal
-
bid, bidding, command, dictation
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
-
agreement
the verbal act of agreeing
-
citation
(law) the act of citing (as of spoken words or written passages or legal precedents etc.)
-
disagreement
the speech act of disagreeing or arguing or disputing
-
offer, offering
the verbal act of offering
-
asking, request
the verbal act of requesting
-
exam, examination, test
a set of questions or exercises evaluating skill or knowledge
-
reply, response
the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange
-
description
the act of describing something
-
affirmation, assertion, statement
the act of affirming or asserting or stating something
-
denial
the act of refusing to comply (as with a request)
-
rejection
the speech act of rejecting
-
objection
the speech act of objecting
-
informing, making known
a speech act that conveys information
-
disclosure, revealing, revelation
the act of making something evident
-
promise
a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future
-
boast, boasting, jactitation, self-praise
speaking of yourself in superlatives
-
naming
the verbal act of naming
-
challenge, gauntlet
a call to engage in a contest or fight
-
explanation
the act of explaining; making something plain or intelligible
-
denouncement, denunciation
a public act of denouncing
-
address, speech
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
-
persuasion, suasion
the act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief or action
-
dissuasion
persuading not to do or believe something; talking someone out of a belief or an intended course of action
-
expostulation, objection, remonstrance, remonstration
the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
-
resignation
the act of giving up (a claim or office or possession etc.)
-
contact, touch
a communicative interaction
-
traffic
the amount of activity over a communication system during a given period of time
-
disturbance, perturbation
activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption
-
growing
(electronics) the production of (semiconductor) crystals by slow crystallization from the molten state
-
steel production
making steel from pig iron
-
timekeeping
the act or process of determining the time
-
type of:
-
event
something that happens at a given place and time
-
a manifestation of insincerity“he put on quite an act for her benefit”
-
type of:
-
expression, manifestation, reflection, reflexion
expression without words
-
expression, manifestation, reflection, reflexion
-
play a role or part“She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role”
-
act as, play
pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
-
play, playact, roleplay
perform on a stage or theater
-
play
pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
-
types:
- show 9 types...
- hide 9 types...
-
make, make believe, pretend
represent fictitiously, as in a play, or pretend to be or act like
-
support
play a subordinate role to (another performer)
-
act out, enact, reenact
act out; represent or perform as if in a play
-
act out
represent an incident, state, or emotion by action, especially on stage
-
impersonate, portray
assume or act the character of
-
parody
make a spoof of or make fun of
-
emote
give expression or emotion to, in a stage or movie role
-
reprise
play a role again; repeat a performance
-
go through the motions
pretend to do something by acting as if one was really doing it
-
type of:
-
re-create
create anew
-
act as, play
-
perform on a stage or theater“She acts in this play”“He acted in `Julius Caesar'”
-
play
perform on a certain location
-
play
be performed or presented for public viewing
-
play, represent
play a role or part
-
types:
- show 4 types...
- hide 4 types...
-
stooge
act as the stooge
-
mime, pantomime
act out without words but with gestures and bodily movements only
-
ham, ham it up, overact, overplay
exaggerate one's acting
-
underact, underplay
act (a role) with great restraint
-
type of:
-
perform
give a performance (of something)
-
play
-
be suitable for theatrical performance
-
a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
-
type of:
-
dramatic composition, dramatic work
a play for performance on the stage or television or in a movie etc.
-
dramatic composition, dramatic work
-
a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program“he did his act three times every evening”
-
types:
-
show-stopper, showstopper, stopper
an act so striking or impressive that the show must be delayed until the audience quiets down
-
type of:
-
performance, public presentation
a dramatic or musical entertainment
-
show-stopper, showstopper, stopper
-
a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
-
synonyms:
enactment
-
types:
- show 18 types...
- hide 18 types...
-
nullity
something that is null (especially an enactment that has no legal validity)
-
decree, edict, fiat, order, rescript
a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
-
legislative act, statute
an act passed by a legislative body
-
consent decree
an agreement between two parties that is sanctioned by the court; for example, a company might agree to stop certain questionable practices without admitting guilt
-
curfew
an order that after a specific time certain activities (as being outside on the streets) are prohibited
-
decree nisi
a decree issued on a first petition for divorce; becomes absolute at some later date
-
imperial decree
a decree issued by a sovereign ruler
-
judicial separation, legal separation
a judicial decree regulating the rights and responsibilities of a married couple living apart
-
programma
an edict that has been publicly posted
-
ban, prohibition, proscription
a decree that prohibits something
-
stay
a judicial order forbidding some action until an event occurs or the order is lifted
-
fair-trade act
formerly a state law that protected manufacturers from price-cutting by allowing them to set minimum retail prices for their merchandise; eliminated by the United States Congress in 1975
-
Stamp Act
an act passed by the British Parliament in 1756 that raised revenue from the American Colonies by a duty in the form of a stamp required on all newspapers and legal or commercial documents; opposition by the Colonies resulted in the repeal of the act in 1766
-
enabling act, enabling clause
a provision in a law that confers on appropriate officials the power to implement or enforce the law
-
FISA, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
an act passed by Congress in 1978 to establish procedures for requesting judicial authorization for foreign intelligence surveillance and to create the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court; intended to increase United States counterintelligence; separate from ordinary law enforcement surveillance
-
ordinance
a statute enacted by a city government
-
special act
a legislative act that applies only to a particular person or particular district
-
bull, papal bull
a formal proclamation issued by the pope (usually written in antiquated characters and sealed with a leaden bulla)
-
type of:
-
instrument, legal document, legal instrument, official document
(law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right
Pronunciation
US
/ækt/
UK
/ækt/
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