Actions: meaning, definitions and examples

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actions

 

[ ˈækʃənz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

daily life

the process of doing something in order to achieve a specific purpose

Synonyms

behavior, conduct, deeds.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
actions

General term used to describe things that someone does. It can be used in both positive and negative situations.

  • His actions showed that he cared
  • The company will take actions to ensure this doesn’t happen again
deeds

Refers to actions that are often significant, intentional, and might have moral implications. Can be both good or bad.

  • Her good deeds earned her the community's respect
  • His criminal deeds led to his imprisonment
  • They remembered him for his noble deeds during the crisis
conduct

Refers to the manner in which a person behaves, especially on a professional or formal level. It often implies adherence to rules or standards.

  • His conduct at the event was exemplary
  • The employee’s conduct violated company policies
  • Professional conduct is crucial in the workplace
behavior

Refers specifically to the way someone acts, especially in relation to others. Commonly used in contexts of psychology, parenting, and social interactions.

  • Her behavior in the meeting was appreciated by everyone
  • We need to address your child’s behavior
  • His strange behavior worried his friends

Examples of usage

  • Her actions spoke louder than words.
  • He always follows through on his actions.
Context #2 | Noun

law

a legal proceeding brought by one party against another

Synonyms

lawsuit, legal proceeding.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
actions

General term for a series of activities or steps taken to achieve a particular outcome. Used in everyday language to describe what someone does.

  • He took immediate actions to resolve the issue
  • Her actions have always been kind and considerate
lawsuit

A legal case brought to court to resolve a dispute between parties. Used in legal and formal contexts involving judicial proceedings.

  • They filed a lawsuit against the company for breach of contract
  • The lawsuit is expected to last several months
legal proceeding

Refers to the formal steps or actions taken in the court of law, including all aspects of the judicial process. Typically used in legal documents and discussions.

  • The legal proceeding took years to conclude
  • Legal proceedings were initiated after the discovery of fraud

Examples of usage

  • The victim's family plans to take legal action against the company.
Context #3 | Noun

grammar

a verb form that expresses something that is done

Synonyms

doing word, verb.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
actions

Generally used to refer to things that someone does, often to make decisions or to solve problems. It can also be used in formal situations or written communication.

  • Her actions spoke louder than words.
  • The company's actions have had a significant impact on the environment.

Examples of usage

  • In the sentence 'She is reading a book,' 'is reading' is the action verb.

Translations

Translations of the word "actions" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ações

🇮🇳 क्रियाएँ

🇩🇪 Aktionen

🇮🇩 tindakan

🇺🇦 дії

🇵🇱 działania

🇯🇵 行動 (こうどう)

🇫🇷 actions

🇪🇸 acciones

🇹🇷 eylemler

🇰🇷 행동 (haengdong)

🇸🇦 إجراءات

🇨🇿 akce

🇸🇰 akcie

🇨🇳 行动 (xíngdòng)

🇸🇮 dejanja

🇮🇸 aðgerðir

🇰🇿 іс-әрекеттер

🇬🇪 მოქმედებები

🇦🇿 fəaliyyətlər

🇲🇽 acciones

Etymology

The word 'actions' originated from the Latin word 'actionem', which means a doing, a performance. Over time, the word evolved to encompass various meanings related to deeds, behavior, and legal proceedings. Actions play a crucial role in daily life, law, and grammar, highlighting the significance of taking steps to achieve specific purposes or outcomes.

See also: inaction.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,142, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.