Action — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈak-shən/ ac·tion

Meaning & Definition of Action

Action (noun)

  1. a thing done, deed
  2. the accomplishment of a thing usually over a period of time, in stages, or with the possibility of repetition
  3. behavior, conduct

Action (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something done by someone

    "judge people by their actions, not by their words"

    similar: act, deed, doing, exploit, feat, thing
    related: accomplishment, achievement, attainment, adventure, experience, emprise, enterprise, initiative, undertaking, handiwork, performance, work, stunt, trick, activity, dealing, maneuver, measure, move, operation, procedure, proceeding, step, tactic, coaction

  2. the unfolding of events in a dramatic or literary work

    "the mystery writer displays a sure hand in managing the novel's complicated but never incoherent action"

    similar: plot, story, story line
    related: subplot, arc, development, design, outline, plan, scheme, argument, mythos, subject, theme

  3. a court case for enforcing a right or claim

    "filed an action in county court to recover his lawn mower from his neighbor, who claims he gave it to her"

    similar: lawsuit, proceeding, suit
    related: litigation, case, cause, complaint, counterclaim, countersuit, cross action, cross-claim

  4. active fighting during the course of a war

    "the battalion saw action soon after it arrived in France"

    similar: battle, combat, field
    related: attack, fire, firefight, pitched battle, single combat, hostilities, operations, warfare, duty, service

  5. the way or manner in which one conducts oneself

    "observing the actions of mice in various controlled settings helps scientists understand the effects of certain drugs"

    similar: address, bearing, behavior, comportment, conduct, demeanor, deportment, geste (archaic)
    related: etiquette, form, manners, mores, proprieties, p's and q's, amenity, civility, courtesy, decorum, politeness, air, attitude, carriage, poise, pose, posture, presence, aspect, look, mien, formality, protocol, rules, custom, habit, habitude, pattern, practice, trick, wont, convention, fashion, mode, style, affectation, attribute, characteristic, mark, trait, distinctiveness, oddity, peculiarity, singularity, strangeness, uniqueness, weirdness

  6. readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity

    "the wilderness was tamed by men and women of action"

    similar: aggressiveness, ambition, drive, enterprise, go, hustle, initiative
    related: grit, gumption, pluck, snap, spirit, spunk, starch, ambitiousness, killer instinct, overambitiousness, assertiveness, self-reliance, energy, hardihood, pep, vigor, vitality
    near: inactivity, inertia, passivity, diffidence, faintheartedness, timidity, hesitation, reluctance, indolence, laziness, lethargy

Related Entry: Action figure (noun)

Action figure is a different word from Action. The synonyms below are for action figure, not for action.

  1. a small figure often of a human being used especially as a child's plaything

    "a collection of action figures of his favorite superheroes"

    similar: doll, dolly, poppet (Midland), puppet
    related: rag doll, figure, figurine, handpuppet, marionette

Related Entry: Action figures (noun)

Action figures is a different word from Action. The synonyms below are for action figures, not for action.

  1. a small figure often of a human being used especially as a child's plaything

    "a collection of action figures of his favorite superheroes"

    similar: dollies, dolls, poppets (Midland), puppets
    related: rag dolls, figures, figurines, handpuppets, marionettes

Related Entry: Piece of the action (phrase)

Piece of the action is a different word from Action. The synonyms below are for piece of the action, not for action.

  1. something belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual member of a group

    "An early investor who demanded a piece of the action in the founding of the company"

    similar: allotment, allowance, cut, end, part, piece, portion, proportion, quota, share, slice, take
    related: lot, ration, commission, percentage, member, partition, section, segment
    near: aggregate, composite, compound, pool, sum, total, totality, whole

Related Entry: Cross action (noun)

Cross action is a different word from Action. The synonyms below are for cross action, not for action.

  1. as in counterclaim, countersuit

    similar: counterclaim, countersuit, cross-claim, litigation, case, cause, complaint, action, lawsuit, proceeding, suit

Related Entry: Job action (noun)

Job action is a different word from Action. The synonyms below are for job action, not for action.

  1. as in slowdown, sit-in

    similar: go-slow (British), sick-out, sit-down, sit-in, slowdown, sympathetic strike, sympathy strike, lockout, strike, walkout

Related Entry: Police action (noun)

Police action is a different word from Action. The synonyms below are for police action, not for action.

  1. as in civil war, world war

    similar: civil war, cold war, holy war, limited war, world war, conflagration, conflict, hostilities, hot war, war, action, battle, engagement, skirmish, combat, fighting, warfare
    opposite: peace, demilitarization, demobilization, disarmament, pacification, ceasefire, truce, calm, peacefulness, tranquility

Related Entry: Political action committee (noun)

Political action committee is a different word from Action. The synonyms below are for political action committee, not for action.

  1. as in vested interest

    similar: vested interest, interest, interest group, pressure group, special interest

Related Entry: Political action committees (noun)

Political action committees is a different word from Action. The synonyms below are for political action committees, not for action.

  1. as in vested interests

    similar: vested interests, interest groups, interests, pressure groups, special interests

Related Entry: Pieces of the action (phrase)

Pieces of the action is a different word from Action. The synonyms below are for pieces of the action, not for action.

  1. something belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual member of a group

    "An early investor who demanded a piece of the action in the founding of the company"

    similar: allotments, allowances, cuts, ends, parts, pieces, portions, proportions, quotas, shares, slices, takes
    related: lots, rations, commissions, percentages, members, partitions, sections, segments
    near: aggregates, composites, compounds, pools, sums, totalities, totals, wholes

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Action

The most common words with a similar meaning to Action:

Archaic: geste
act, deed, doing, exploit, feat, thing, plot, story, story line, lawsuit, proceeding, suit, battle, combat, field, address, bearing, behavior, comportment, conduct, demeanor, deportment, aggressiveness, ambition, drive, enterprise, go, hustle, initiative

Related Words for Action

accomplishment, achievement, attainment, adventure, experience, emprise, undertaking, handiwork, performance, work, stunt, trick, activity, dealing, maneuver, measure, move, operation, procedure, step, tactic, coaction, subplot, arc, development, design, outline, plan, scheme, argument

Near Antonyms of Action

inactivity, inertia, passivity, diffidence, faintheartedness, timidity, hesitation, reluctance, indolence, laziness, lethargy

Word Forms of Action

Inflections: actions

Origin & Etymology of Action

Middle English accioun, borrowed from Anglo-French accion, borrowed from Latin āctiōn-, āctiō activity, act, legal process, from agere to drive (cattle), cause to move, do + -tiōn-, -tiō, noun suffix of verbal action agent

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Action

Words & Phrases Containing Action

action figure, action painting, action potential, action-packed, action replay, action verb, affirmative action, bolt-action, cause of action

Frequently Asked Questions about Action

What does "Action" mean?

"Action" means a thing done, deed. As a noun, it is defined as: a thing done, deed. It has 6 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Action"?

Other words for "Action" include act, deed, doing, exploit, feat, thing, plot and story. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Action" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Action"?

There are 144 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Action". Common alternatives include act, deed, doing, exploit, feat, thing, plot, story, story line and lawsuit.

How do you use "Action" in a sentence?

Examples of "Action" in a sentence: "judge people by their actions, not by their words"; "the mystery writer displays a sure hand in managing the novel's complicated but never incoherent action"; "filed an action in county court to recover his lawn mower from his neighbor, who claims he gave it to her".

Is "Action" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Action" is a noun.

Is "Action" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Action" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Action"?

"Action" is pronounced /ˈak-shən/ and divided into syllables as ac·tion.

What is the origin of the word "Action"?

"Action" comes from Middle English accioun, borrowed from Anglo-French accion, borrowed from Latin āctiōn-, āctiō activity, act, legal process, from agere to drive (cattle), cause to move, do + -tiōn-, -tiō, noun suffix of verbal action agent. First known use: 14th century.