act
noun
anything done, being done, or to be done; deed; performance.
was acting
-
past progressiveof act.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
“Looking back I realized how ridiculous I was acting but all I wanted was a cheesy magnet.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026
Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker, who introduced a special motion to halt the truck plans, said he was acting on behalf of community residents.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 27, 2026
A cold front off Portugal was "acting like a heat pump, drawing up warm air", he said.
From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026
Kelver must now argue her case in court, risking up to 15 years in prison if she cannot convince a jury that she was acting reasonably in self-defense.
From Slate ● Jun. 4, 2026
Peter was acting in the theater here, and getting bigger parts all the time.
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
