Antonyms for action


Grammar : Noun
Spell : ak-shuhn
Phonetic Transcription : ˈæk ʃən


Definition of action

Origin :
  • mid-14c., "cause or grounds for a lawsuit," from Anglo-French accioun, Old French accion (12c.) "action, lawsuit, case," from Latin actionem (nominative actio) "a putting in motion; a performing, doing," noun of action from past participle stem of agere "to do" (see act (v.)). Sense of "something done, an act, deed" is late 14c. Meaning "fighting" is from c.1600. As a film director's command, it is attested from 1923. Meaning "excitement" is recorded from 1968. Phrase actions speak louder than words is attested from 1731.
  • noun something done
  • noun individual deed
  • noun a legal process
  • noun an aggressive military deed
Example sentences :
  • I'm going back there, and get things in action, and I'm going to stay by them.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • She was apt not only to know what she talked about, but she was a woman of resource, unafraid of action.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Thoroughbred is the word for her, style and action, as the horse people say, perfect.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Plainly, too, he was a man of action and a man who engaged all her instinctive liking.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Upon this as a platform of purpose and of action we can stand together.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various
  • It passed, and the next moment she was on her feet again, capable of action.
  • Extract from : « Malbone » by Thomas Wentworth Higginson
  • It is not the name of the action, but the result of the action, which is the chief concern.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various
  • It is a thought, an ideal, which has led to an entirely new line of action.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various
  • How will every look, every action, even the most innocent, be liable to misconstruction!
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • When action is required to preserve our national security, we will act.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various

Synonyms for action

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019