playact

[ pley-akt ]

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in make-believe.
2. to be insincere or affected in speech, manner, etc.:

   It's hard to get away with playacting with members of one's own family.

3. to perform in a play.

verb (used with object)

1. to dramatize (something):

   They playacted the movements of a burglar.

Other Words From

• playacting noun
• playactor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of playact¹

1895–1900; back formation from playacting; play, act, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

What he presents in the first half is cringeworthy: a chintzy and cheesy playacting of the chaos, with any discussion of the issues.

From Los Angeles Times

Within “Housekeeping’s” restless, naturalistic aesthetic, Stolevski crafts complex and poignant images, contrasting the playacting the couple is forced to do with their searing gazes.

From Los Angeles Times

Jordan, like Trump, is popular on the right because, not despite, of his inability to even playact the part of the loving Christian.

From Salon

What we need is a stable raft, not messy playacting.

From Salon

Online critics have slammed the job switchers as naïve, suggesting that they are playacting at poverty or taking blue-collar jobs from less educated people who need them.

From New York Times

Related Words

• appear
• bear
• carry
• conduct
• give
• go on
• manage
• operate
• perform
• play
• present
• produce
• quit