Synonyms for action
ˈæk ʃənac·tion

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. 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.

   Synonyms:
   accomplishment, achievement, act, consummation, deed, doing, effect, execution, exercise, exertion, exploit, feat, motion, movement, operation, performance, proceeding, transaction, work

   Antonyms:
   cessation, deliberation, endurance, immobility, inaction, inactivity, inertia, passion (In philosophic sense), quiescence, quiet, repose, rest, suffering, suspension

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:3.5 / 2 votes

1. actionnoun

   something done (usually as opposed to something said)

   "there were stories of murders and other unnatural actions"

   Synonyms:
   activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, military action, action mechanism, action at law

   Antonyms:
   inactivity, inaction, inactiveness

2. action, activity, activenessnoun

   the state of being active

   "his sphere of activity"; "he is out of action"

   Synonyms:
   bodily function, action, activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, bodily process, military action, action mechanism, body process, action at law

   Antonyms:
   inactivity, inaction, inactiveness

3. military action, actionnoun

   a military engagement

   "he saw action in Korea"

   Synonyms:
   action, activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, military action, action mechanism, action at law

   Antonyms:
   inaction, inactiveness, inactivity

4. natural 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"

   Synonyms:
   bodily function, action, activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, bodily process, military action, action mechanism, body process, action at law

   Antonyms:
   inactivity, inaction, inactiveness

5. actionnoun

   the series of events that form a plot

   "his novels always have a lot of action"

   Synonyms:
   activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, military action, action mechanism, action at law

   Antonyms:
   inactivity, inaction, inactiveness

6. actionnoun

   the trait of being active and energetic and forceful

   "a man of action"

   Synonyms:
   activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, military action, action mechanism, action at law

   Antonyms:
   inaction, inactiveness, inactivity

7. action, action mechanismnoun

   the operating part that transmits power to a mechanism

   "the piano had a very stiff action"

   Synonyms:
   action, activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, military action, action mechanism, action at law

   Antonyms:
   inactivity, inactiveness, inaction

8. legal 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

   Synonyms:
   action, activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, military action, action mechanism, action at law

   Antonyms:
   inactivity, inactiveness, inaction

9. actionnoun

   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"

   Synonyms:
   activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, military action, action mechanism, action at law

   Antonyms:
   inactivity, inaction, inactiveness

10. actionverb

    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"

    Synonyms:
    activeness, natural action, natural process, legal action, activity, military action, action mechanism, action at law

    Antonyms:
    inaction, inactivity, inactiveness

11. action, 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"

    Synonyms:
    process, action, accomplish, execute, work, serve, carry through, swear out, fulfil, work on, carry out, sue, treat, march, fulfill, litigate

    Antonyms:
    inactiveness, inactivity, inaction

12. carry 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"

    Synonyms:
    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, action, run, pull through, attain, sue, achieve, do, bring through, perform, save, live up to

    Antonyms:
    inactiveness, inaction, inactivity

Matched Categories

1. • Act
   • Challenge
   • Complete
   • Drive
   • Effect
   • Group Action
   • Mechanism
   • Military
   • Plot
   • Process
   • State

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. actionnoun

   Synonyms:
   activity, exercise, motion, movement, play

2. actionnoun

   Synonyms:
   deed (viewed as requiring a continued exertion of power), performance, exploit, achievement, procedure, proceeding, acting, turn, ACT

3. actionnoun

   Synonyms:
   agency, operation, force, influence, instrumentality, process

4. actionnoun

   Synonyms:
   battle, engagement, conflict, contest, combat, rencontre, encounter, skirmish, brush, affair

5. actionnoun

   Synonyms:
   gesticulation, gesture

6. actionnoun

   Synonyms:
   subject, fable, plot, series of events

7. actionnoun

   Synonyms:
   (Law.) suit, process, case, prosecution

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. actionnoun

   Synonyms:
   agency, operation, movement, activity

   Antonyms:
   inaction, stagnation, inactivity, inertia

2. actionnoun

   Synonyms:
   conduct, behavior, deportment, deeds, (Law) lawsuit, litigation, suit

   Antonyms:
   inaction, stagnation, inactivity, inertia

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "action":

   measures, actions, operations, steps, measure, work, 'action, operation, act, acción, intervention, proceedings, decision, activity, labor, labour, measurement, acts, response, extent, shares, procedures, measurements, procedure, activities, efforts, decisions, agenda, working, initiatives, fight, move, effort

Suggested Resources

1. action

   Song lyrics by action -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by action on the Lyrics.com website.

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How to use action in a sentence?

1. State Mike Pompeo:

   We still maintain our view that we can find a path forward to convince the leadership in North Korea that their best course of action is to create a better opportunity for their people by getting rid of their nuclear weapons. That's our mission set.

2. Chadwick Boseman:

   The legend of Yasuke is one of history's best kept secrets, the only person of non-Asian origin to become a samurai, that's not just an action movie, that's a cultural event, an exchange, and I am excited to be part of it.

3. David Berg:

   Usually, it is hard to find when the loan was actually accelerated, sometimes there is a letter sent home to the borrower. But other times the bank just takes action in court, and sometimes the borrower doesn't even know it.

4. Angela Merkel:

   We will agree on the EU Turkey action plan today, one main part of this EU-Turkey action plan will be how we can replace illegal migration by legal migration, how we can improve the situation of refugees within Turkey.

5. John Miller:

   The looting was not a feature we anticipated, nor is it one we've seen before associated with these kinds of movements, nor do we actually believe that it's associated with this movement, we believe it was an opportunist action by regular criminal groups who decided to exploit this. And we hear that increasingly from the groups that are marching that they have nothing to do with that and are trying to disassociate themselves.