Synonyms

playact

American

[pley-akt] / ˈpleɪˌækt /

verb (used without object)

to engage in make-believe.
to be insincere or affected in speech, manner, etc..

It's hard to get away with playacting with members of one's own family.
to perform in a play.

verb (used with object)

to dramatize (something).

They playacted the movements of a burglar.

Other Word Forms

playacting noun
playactor noun

Etymology

Origin of playact

1895–1900; back formation from playacting; see play, act, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The problem is, many companies have looked at these numbers and opted to playact purpose rather than create real impact.

From Slate • Jun. 14, 2023

Asked to imitate another person or playact, this kind of bot sometimes veers into areas it was designed to stay away from.

From New York Times • Mar. 14, 2023

As a youngster, Brian liked to playact with the toys he made.

From Washington Post • Sep. 29, 2020

Do today’s guests want a 19th-century stage set on which to playact high society?

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 23, 2016

The obvious response is that they never let us do anything but playact with our guns.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023