as in actor
one who acts professionally (as in a play, movie, or television show)
although she's "acted" in a couple of horror movies, I'd hardly call her one of our more promising thespians
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Recent Examples of thespian
Erivo’s performance in Wicked received wide adoration amongst thespians, but her looks won our fashion-loving hearts.
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Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 23 Dec. 2024
The pic also starred Willem Dafoe, Crispin Glover, Harry Dean Stanton, Blue Velvet actress and former Lynch partner Isabella Rossellini, and Twin Peaks thespians Sherilyn Fenn and Gracie Zabriskie.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 Jan. 2025
In light of the death of original Mufasa actor James Earl Jones, who died Sep. 9 at the age of 93, the entire film opens with a tribute to the late thespian.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 10 Dec. 2024
James Earl Jones touched not only cinema’s history, but all those who will continue on celebrating it, including fellow thespian André Holland.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for thespian 
Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 23 Dec. 2024
The pic also starred Willem Dafoe, Crispin Glover, Harry Dean Stanton, Blue Velvet actress and former Lynch partner Isabella Rossellini, and Twin Peaks thespians Sherilyn Fenn and Gracie Zabriskie.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 Jan. 2025
In light of the death of original Mufasa actor James Earl Jones, who died Sep. 9 at the age of 93, the entire film opens with a tribute to the late thespian.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 10 Dec. 2024
James Earl Jones touched not only cinema’s history, but all those who will continue on celebrating it, including fellow thespian André Holland.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for thespian
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Cite this Entry
“Thespian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thespian. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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