play-acting

• playacting

From play-act +‎ -ing.

play-acting (usually uncountable, plural play-actings)

1. The acting of a play or plays; the occupation of an actor; dramatic performance.
   • 2003, Rebecca Fraser, The Story of Britain: From the Romans to the Present: A Narrative History, New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company, published 2006, →ISBN, page 327:

     Despite growing Puritan disapproval of play-acting, vehemently expressed in sermons and pamphlets, Charles's court was famous for its amateur theatricals.

2. (figuratively) The act of engaging in pretence or insincere behavior, often in order to mislead someone or gain an advantage.
   • 1963, Conrad M. Arensberg, Arthur H. Niehoff, Technical Cooperation and Cultural Reality, Washington, D.C.: United States Department of State, Agency for International Development, page 38:

     Children's games are often play-actings of adult roles and thus inculcate the values and customs of the culture in a way that formal schooling might neglect.

   • 2020 May 4, Tom McTague, “Being a Parent Has Made My Pandemic Life Simpler, If You Can Believe It”, in The Atlantic‎:

     Yes, child care means that the days are longer, working hours broken up and scattered between intervals of dinosaur play-acting. It also means there is almost no time alone.

play-acting

1. present participle and gerund of play-act

• anaglyptic