action
/ˈækʃən/noun, verb2 syllables
Action means: put in effect.
Synonyms for action23
noun, as in a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings)
noun, as in the state of being active
noun, as in 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
noun, as in a military engagement
noun, as in the operating part that transmits power to a mechanism
verb, as in put in effect
Opposites of action
What does action mean?13
verb
put in effect“carry out a task”
institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against“He was warned that the district attorney would process him”
noun
a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings)“the action of natural forces”
the state of being active“his sphere of activity”
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
a military engagement“he saw action in Korea”
the operating part that transmits power to a mechanism“the piano had a very stiff action”
something done (usually as opposed to something said)“there were stories of murders and other unnatural actions”
the series of events that form a plot“his novels always have a lot of action”
the trait of being active and energetic and forceful“a man of action”
an act by a government body or supranational organization“recent federal action undermined the segregationist position”
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”
In firearms terminology, the mechanism that handles the ammunition (loads, locks, fires, and extracts the cartridges).“Actions can be categorized in several ways, including single action versus double action, break action versus bolt action, and others.”
Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
What rhymes with action?15
three syllables
four syllables
five syllables
Action in a sentence
- He is not a learned man, but a man of action.unknown
- Action speaks louder than words, but not nearly as often.CK
- Your motive was admirable, but your action was not.papabear
- Some men are slained, others wounded, others reported missing in action.qdii
- Here, you can get close to the action.Spamster
- At a grassroots level, it is mandatory to take action.Sbgodin
- It’s a class action involving thousands of plaintiffs, and it’s complicated.MrShoval
- Time is pressing, and quick action is needed.AlanF_US
Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.
Forms of action
as a noun
- plural
- actions
as a verb
- past tense
- actioned
- present participle
- actioning
- third-person singular
- actions
- past participle
- actioned