Synonyms and antonyms of Words used to describe actions and activities in British Thesaurus

actions speak louder than words ()

used for saying that what you do is more important than what you say you will do

amateur (adjective)

done for pleasure instead of as a job

at someone’s request/at the request of someone ()

used for saying that something will be done because someone has asked for it

attempted (adjective)

used about things that someone tries to do but does not succeed in doing, especially things that are wrong or illegal

commemorative (adjective)

done in order to honour and remember an important person or event

desperate (adjective)

done because you can think of no other way

face-saving (adjective)

done in order to stop people losing respect for you

for someone’s edification (formal)

formal done in order to increase someone’s knowledge or improve their character

hostile (adjective)

business done by one company to another that opposes its action

in ones and twos ()

used for saying that people do things alone or in small groups

in pursuance of something (formal)

formal as part of the process of doing something

lame (adjective)

done without much effort in a way that seems as though you are not trying very hard

lamely (adverb)

in a way that does not seem sincere or enthusiastic

limp (adjective)

done without energy or enthusiasm

maiden (adjective)

done for the first time

now...now ()

used for saying that someone or something does one thing and then does something different, especially while they are doing something else

official (adjective)

done by people in authority

on request ()

used for saying that something will be done if someone asks for it

on someone’s account ()

if you do something on someone’s account, you do it because you think they want you to

on someone’s behalf ()

in order to help someone

on someone’s part ()

done or experienced by someone

on-the-job (adjective)

done or happening while you are at work

paid (adjective)

done for pay

panic (noun)

used about things that people do when they are frightened or worried

parting (adjective)

done or said by someone when they are leaving

part-time (adjective)

done for only part of the time that an activity is usually performed

personal (adjective)

done by a person directly, rather than by a representative

physical (adjective)

used about activities that involve people touching or hitting each other a lot

positive (adjective)

if you do something positive, you do something to try to improve a situation or to help someone rather than doing nothing

preventative (adjective)

preventive

preventive (adjective)

done so that something does not become worse or turn into a problem

procedural (adjective)

formal relating to a procedure, especially a legal one

reciprocal (adjective)

done according to an arrangement by which you do something for someone who does the same thing for you

recreational (adjective)

done or used for enjoyment

saltwater (adjective)

done in the sea

token (adjective)

done simply in order to show people that you are doing something and not because what you do has any real importance or effectiveness

twice over/three times etc over ()

doing something twice/three times etc

two-handed (adjective)

involving the use of both hands

two-step (adjective)

done in two stages

unprompted (adjective)

formal done or said without anyone telling you to do or say it