act out
verb
acted out; acting out; acts out
1
a
: to represent in action
children act out what they read
b
: to translate into action
unwilling to act out their beliefs
2
: to express (something, such as an impulse or a fantasy) directly in overt behavior without modification to comply with social norms
: to behave badly or in a socially unacceptable often self-defeating manner especially as a means of venting painful emotions (such as fear or frustration)
Synonyms of act out
Examples of act out in a Sentence
because his parents spent so much time with his chronically ill sister, the boy resorted to acting out in order to get attention
Recent Examples on the Web
Roper acts out this realization about [Teddy’s allegiance].
—
Hunter Ingram, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
This form of compassion helps prime us to act out our compassionate concern for others.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Jan. 2026
Deputy District Attorney Scott Pirrello told jurors that Bushey had a history of acting hostile toward family members and that his sister’s abrupt presence in the home set him off, leading him to act out and her to fear for her safety.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
At these community events, monks and others wear intricate costumes and masks to act out the lore of historical legends.
—Amy Nelson, Twin Cities, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for act out
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Hunter Ingram, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
This form of compassion helps prime us to act out our compassionate concern for others.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Jan. 2026
Deputy District Attorney Scott Pirrello told jurors that Bushey had a history of acting hostile toward family members and that his sister’s abrupt presence in the home set him off, leading him to act out and her to fear for her safety.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
At these community events, monks and others wear intricate costumes and masks to act out the lore of historical legends.
—Amy Nelson, Twin Cities, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for act out
Cite this Entry
“Act out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/act%20out. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
act out
transitive verb
: to express (as an impulse or a fantasy) directly in overt behavior without modification to comply with social norms
act out an adolescent fantasy
: to behave badly or in a socially unacceptable often self-defeating manner especially as a means of venting painful emotions (as fear or frustration)
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