act
Play's major division
Act is the most common noun used to designate something that you do—even though the word deed is arguably more accurate, as it is actually related to do.
Since act is so general, it is often modified by a preceding adjective (a terrible act, a random act) or a following prepositional phrase (an act of terrorism, an act of kindness).
An act can also be a division of a dramatic work, such as a play or opera, or a piece of legislation.
Act is also a verb that is more specific than do because it suggests awareness or intention when the subject is a person (he acted like a gentleman), and power or effect when the subject is inanimate (geological forces act on mountains).
Act can also suggest a disconnect between reality and appearance: She acted surprised but she knew I was already here.
Dramatic unit or locale
- playRecreation or staged drama
- dramaTheatrical art or turmoil
- tragedyDisastrous or sorrowful event
- comedyWork meant to amuse
script · monologue · soliloquy · dialogue · climax · denouement · intermission · protagonist
Absurd or obvious pretense
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
- guiseExternal manner shown
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
feigning · sham · bluff · posturing · front · show · disguise · ruse
Manner of behaving
Regular sequence of actions
- sketchHasty informal drawing
- numberSymbol representing quantity
- setArrange in position
- bitSmall amount or portion
encore · audition · rehearsal · spotlight · applause · curtain call · ovation · showtime
Communicative body movement
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
- serviceAid or maintenance
- generosityReadiness to give freely
- contributionSomething given to help
charity · altruism · benevolence · heroism · courtesy · compassion · favor · good deed
Enacted written rule
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- billAmount owed, written
- ordinanceOfficial government regulation
- amendmentChange to official text
provision · decree · regulation · mandate · proclamation · edict · resolution · measure
scene
Dramatic unit or locale
comedy · script · monologue · soliloquy · dialogue · climax · denouement · intermission · protagonist · curtain
charade
Absurd or obvious pretense
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
- guiseExternal manner shown
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
deception · feigning · sham · bluff · posturing · front · show · disguise · ruse · put-on
conduct
Manner of behaving
routine
Regular sequence of actions
bit · encore · audition · rehearsal · spotlight · applause · curtain call · ovation · showtime · headliner
gesture
Communicative body movement
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
- serviceAid or maintenance
- generosityReadiness to give freely
contribution · charity · altruism · benevolence · heroism · courtesy · compassion · favor · good deed · mercy
statute
Enacted written rule
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- billAmount owed, written
- ordinanceOfficial government regulation
amendment · provision · decree · regulation · mandate · proclamation · edict · resolution · measure · ruling
part
Piece of whole
episode · movement · portion · installment · phase · sequence · interlude · finale · prologue · epilogue
actbe oneself
Act without pretense
sincerity · authenticity · genuineness · frankness · honesty
- caught in the actDiscovered mid-wrongdoing
- act outPerform or misbehave
- acting upBehaving badly or failing
- get in on the actBegin participating in ongoing activity
- act upBehave badly or fail
- Civil Rights ActLaw prohibiting discrimination
action, exact, active, actor, acting, activity, actress, react, actual