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act upon

act up·on
A a

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [akt uh-pon, uh-pawn]
    • /ækt əˈpɒn, əˈpɔn/
    • /ækt əˈpɒn/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [akt uh-pon, uh-pawn]
    • /ækt əˈpɒn, əˈpɔn/

Definitions of act upon words

  • noun act upon anything done, being done, or to be done; deed; performance: a heroic act. 1
  • noun act upon the process of doing: caught in the act. 1
  • noun act upon a formal decision, law, or the like, by a legislature, ruler, court, or other authority; decree or edict; statute; judgment, resolve, or award: an act of Congress. 1
  • noun act upon an instrument or document stating something done or transacted. 1
  • noun act upon one of the main divisions of a play or opera: the second act of Hamlet. 1
  • noun act upon a short performance by one or more entertainers, usually part of a variety show or radio or television program. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of act upon

First appearance:

before 1350
One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English act(e) (< Middle French) < Latin ācta, plural of āctum something done, noun use of past participle of agere to do (āg- past participle stem + -tum neuter past participle suffix); and directly < Latin āctus a doing (āg- + -tus suffix of v. action)

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Act upon

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

act upon popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 100% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

act upon usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for act upon

verb act upon

  • rush — to move, act, or progress with speed, impetuosity, or violence.
  • force — physical power or strength possessed by a living being: He used all his force in opening the window.
  • inspire — to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence: His courage inspired his followers.
  • propel — to drive, or cause to move, forward or onward: to propel a boat by rowing.
  • make — to bring into existence by shaping or changing material, combining parts, etc.: to make a dress; to make a channel; to make a work of art.

Antonyms for act upon

verb act upon

  • dissuade — to deter by advice or persuasion; persuade not to do something (often followed by from): She dissuaded him from leaving home.
  • prevent — to keep from occurring; avert; hinder: He intervened to prevent bloodshed.
  • impede — to retard in movement or progress by means of obstacles or hindrances; obstruct; hinder.
  • calm — A calm person does not show or feel any worry, anger, or excitement.
  • delay — If you delay doing something, you do not do it immediately or at the planned or expected time, but you leave it until later.

See also

Matching words

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