What are some opposite words for action?
Antonyms for action
ˈæk ʃənac·tion
This page is about all possible antonyms and opposite words for the term action.
English Synonyms and Antonyms
actionnoun
An act is strictly and originally something accomplished by an exercise of power, in which sense it is synonymous with deed or effect. Action is a doing. Act is therefore single, individual, momentary; action a complex of acts, or a process, state, or habit of exerting power. We say a virtuous act, but rather a virtuous course of action. We speak of the action of an acid upon a metal, not of its act. Act is used, also, for the simple exertion of power; as, an act of will. In this sense an act does not necessarily imply an external effect, while an action does. Morally, the act of murder is in the determination to kill; legally, the act is not complete without the striking of the fatal blow. Act and deed are both used for the thing done, but act refers to the power put forth, deed to the result accomplished; as, a voluntary act, a bad deed. In connection with other words act is more usually qualified by the use of another noun, action by an adjective preceding; we may say a kind act, though oftener an act of kindness, but only a kind action, not an action of kindness. As between act and deed, deed is commonly used of great, notable, and impressive acts, as are achievement, exploit, and feat.
Festus: We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths.
Bailey Festus, A Country Town, sc. 7.A feat exhibits strength, skill, personal power, whether mental or physical, especially the latter; as, a feat of arms, a feat of memory. An exploit is a conspicuous or glorious deed, involving valor or heroism, usually combined with strength, skill, loftiness of thought, and readiness of resource; an achievement is the doing of something great and noteworthy; an exploit is brilliant, but its effect may be transient; an achievement is solid, and its effect enduring. Act and action are both in contrast to all that is merely passive and receptive. The intensest action is easier than passive endurance.
Antonyms:
cessation, deliberation, endurance, immobility, inaction, inactivity, inertia, passion (In philosophic sense), quiescence, quiet, repose, rest, suffering, suspensionSynonyms:
accomplishment, achievement, act, consummation, deed, doing, effect, execution, exercise, exertion, exploit, feat, motion, movement, operation, performance, proceeding, transaction, work
Princeton's WordNet
actionnoun
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
"there were stories of murders and other unnatural actions"
Antonyms:
inactivity, inaction, inactivenessSynonyms:
activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, military action, action mechanism, action at lawaction, activity, activenessnoun
the state of being active
"his sphere of activity"; "he is out of action"
Antonyms:
inactivity, inaction, inactivenessSynonyms:
bodily function, activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, bodily process, military action, action mechanism, body process, action at lawmilitary action, actionnoun
a military engagement
"he saw action in Korea"
Antonyms:
inaction, inactiveness, inactivitySynonyms:
activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, military action, action mechanism, action at lawnatural process, natural action, action, activitynoun
a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings)
"the action of natural forces"; "volcanic activity"
Antonyms:
inactivity, inaction, inactivenessSynonyms:
bodily function, activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, bodily process, military action, action mechanism, body process, action at lawactionnoun
the series of events that form a plot
"his novels always have a lot of action"
Antonyms:
inactivity, inaction, inactivenessSynonyms:
activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, military action, action mechanism, action at lawactionnoun
the trait of being active and energetic and forceful
"a man of action"
Antonyms:
inaction, inactiveness, inactivitySynonyms:
activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, military action, action mechanism, action at lawaction, action mechanismnoun
the operating part that transmits power to a mechanism
"the piano had a very stiff action"
Antonyms:
inactivity, inactiveness, inactionSynonyms:
activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, military action, action mechanism, action at lawlegal action, action, action at lawnoun
a judicial proceeding brought by one party against another; one party prosecutes another for a wrong done or for protection of a right or for prevention of a wrong
Antonyms:
inactivity, inactiveness, inactionSynonyms:
activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, military action, action mechanism, action at lawactionnoun
an act by a government body or supranational organization
"recent federal action undermined the segregationist position"; "the United Nations must have the power to propose and organize action without being hobbled by irrelevant issues"; "the Union action of emancipating Southern slaves"
Antonyms:
inactivity, inaction, inactivenessSynonyms:
activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, military action, action mechanism, action at lawactionverb
the most important or interesting work or activity in a specific area or field
"the action is no longer in technology stocks but in municipal bonds"; "gawkers always try to get as close to the action as possible"
Antonyms:
inaction, inactivity, inactivenessSynonyms:
activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, military action, action mechanism, action at lawaction, sue, litigate, processverb
institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against
"He was warned that the district attorney would process him"; "She actioned the company for discrimination"
Antonyms:
inactiveness, inactivity, inactionSynonyms:
process, accomplish, execute, work, serve, carry through, swear out, fulfil, work on, carry out, sue, treat, march, fulfill, litigatecarry through, accomplish, execute, carry out, action, fulfill, fulfilverb
put in effect
"carry out a task"; "execute the decision of the people"; "He actioned the operation"
Antonyms:
inactiveness, inaction, inactivitySynonyms:
follow out, carry out, fulfill, follow through, implement, litigate, execute, reach, put to death, accomplish, fulfil, go through, meet, fill, follow up, process, satisfy, carry through, put through, run, pull through, attain, sue, achieve, do, bring through, perform, save, live up to
Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated Words
actionnoun
Antonyms:
inaction, stagnation, inactivity, inertiaactionnoun
Antonyms:
inaction, stagnation, inactivity, inertiaSynonyms:
conduct, behavior, deportment, deeds, (Law) lawsuit, litigation, suit
How to use action in a sentence?
The market is baying for action from the ECB on Thursday, with expectations now firmly entrenched in favor of a QE announcement.
We feel we have a responsibility in making sure you take the right actions, but in the end it's only you who can decide what is the right action there and what's not, i'm not going to look at your data thinking like 'hey, these are cat videos, maybe you shouldn't do that'.
There is an unlimited amount of power to be found in simplicity. Keep your intent and action simple and the doors of success, happiness, and abundance will fly open for you."
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback:
I am prepared to take executive action to help reduce expenditures, however, the legislature has a constitutional obligation to balance the budget and we are hopeful they will work with us on one of the three options. . .
I don't know why the taxpayers of New York think it's a good idea for their attorney general devote resources to something that's already covered by the federal government, i can tell you, I was there, they weren't shy about taking action.
Words popularity by usage frequency
ranking | word | |
---|---|---|
#473 | action | |
#1547 | rest | |
#4205 | quiet | |
#5067 | suspension | |
#5907 | suffering | |
#14627 | endurance | |
#16872 | cessation | |
#22959 | inertia | |
#28771 | inactivity | |
#30710 | deliberation | |
#36114 | inaction | |
#38211 | repose | |
#89110 | immobility | |
#109877 | quiescence |
Translation
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"action." Synonyms.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 23 Apr. 2024. <https://www.synonyms.com/antonyms/action>.
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