act out

to behave badly <because his parents spent so much time with his chronically ill sister, the boy resorted to acting out in order to get attention> Synonyms misbehave, act up, carry onRelated Words misconduct; disobey, rebel; clown (around), cut up, fool around, horse around, kid (around); show off; roughhouseNear Antonyms obey; acquit, act, bear, comport, conduct, demean, deport, quit; comply, conform; check, collect, compose, constrain, contain, control, curb, handle, inhibit, move, quiet, repress, restrain