playact

verb

Definition of playactnext
as in to pose

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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 playact Today, Margaret would be playacting her own massacre in active shooter drills at school. — Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 1 May 2023 Trixie advises Alma to playact highness to flummox E.B. — Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2021 Today, this dynamic lives on in the form of Roblox strip clubs, where young people — mostly, minors — playact at adult sexuality. — Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2021 The world had first required her to playact as a man. — Will Stephenson, Harper's Magazine, 15 Sep. 2020 Yona has it better than the locals who have agreed to playact, and likely die, in Mui’s fake new disaster. — Madeline Leung Coleman, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2020 Cloud is almost childlike, a boy playacting at being a warrior and not always nailing the part. — Julie Muncy, Wired, 10 Apr. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playact
  1. pose
  2. masquerade
  3. pretend
  4. impersonate
  5. act
  6. play
  7. dissemble
  8. feign
Verb
  • It was founded in 1949 in response to security concerns after World War II and the growing threat posed by the Soviet Union.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026
Definition of pose
Verb
  • Set amid the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, the tragic tale of Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) is famous for allowing real nightmares to masquerade as bloody fairytales.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 June 2026
  • What’s worrying to him is that abundance can masquerade as sufficiency.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 June 2026
Definition of masquerade
Verb
  • Barcenas' tea-sipping celebration was a tribute to Alex Morgan, one of the Wave's owners, who pretended to take a sip of tea after scoring in a match against England during the 2019 Women's World Cup.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
  • Well, Ariana seems to remember, whereas Hudson is determined to just undo the breakup and pretend like none of it ever happened.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 2 July 2026
Definition of pretend
Verb
  • Online, Safeer Mohammed Koorimannil, who was trafficked to a scam center in Myanmar, impersonated a 28-year-old Singaporean woman named Ella.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 June 2026
  • So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 29 June 2026
Definition of impersonate
Verb
  • Mozeliak argues the team doesn’t need to tank to win, but rather act more like a big market team.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Maintenance inhalers are either long-acting airway dilators or anti-inflammatory medications like steroids that patients should take daily.
    — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of act
Verb
  • Win prizes playing interactive games, network with artists and entrepreneurs and enjoy signature drinks and bar snacks available for purchase.
    — Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
  • Men leaders can pay attention to and be mindful of who in the workplace may be playing more of an emotional support role that falls outside their job description.
    — Holly Corbett, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of play
Verb
  • Instead, whole grains and foods are dissembled into molecules which, with the help of artificial colorings, flavorings and gluelike emulsifiers, are heated, pounded, shaped or extruded into any food a manufacturer can dream up.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
  • When McKenzie asks him how much he’s contributed to the coffers of politicians, his dodging of the question is pure dissembling theater.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Definition of dissemble
Verb
  • Patients are often described as drug seekers and accused of feigning their pain.
    — Larry Seward, CBS News, 29 June 2026
  • Kimmel feigned surprise at the delivery, even when the driver insisted on bringing the smaller one inside the studio.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2026
Definition of feign

Browse Nearby Words

play
playact
playacted
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Cite this Entry

“Playact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playact. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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