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)
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
Some commenters may be acting out of genuine concern for animal welfare, but their moral case is limited.
—
Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2024
Various guest stars appear to act out these drunken ramblings, even lip-syncing to the more ridiculous statements from the storyteller.
—Kevin Jacobsen and Hope Lasater, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024
In the video, the band don breastplates and gold leaf crowns to act out Shakespeare.
—Audra Heinrichs, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024
When an angry Brooke (Essie Randles) shuts her bedroom door on a remorseful Amy (Alison Brie), Amy simply sails in through the adjoining bathroom instead; one gets the sense that these sisters have acted out this exact sequence of events thousands of times before.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024
Educators receive training on how to respond to students who have endured trauma and may be acting out as a result, with responses that can lead to alternatives to suspensions.
—Meredith Kolodner, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
In other words, acting out might intensify the issue that Karens are so worried about.
—Chloe Berger, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2024
Shortly after the 21-year-old pop star posted a TikTok acting out the Oscar-winning actress’ viral ad — which has been playing before every showing at the movie chain’s locations since 2021 — the Moulin Rouge star herself tipped her cap to Rodrigo on Instagram Stories Wednesday (March 27).
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2024
Paw Patrol fans will love acting out their favorite scenes from the movie with this $15 playmat, which comes with two toy cars and is currently 66% off; preschoolers can also engage in creative pretend play with a Melissa & Doug wooden cake-making playset that’s more than 50% off.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024
Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2024
Various guest stars appear to act out these drunken ramblings, even lip-syncing to the more ridiculous statements from the storyteller.
—Kevin Jacobsen and Hope Lasater, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024
In the video, the band don breastplates and gold leaf crowns to act out Shakespeare.
—Audra Heinrichs, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024
When an angry Brooke (Essie Randles) shuts her bedroom door on a remorseful Amy (Alison Brie), Amy simply sails in through the adjoining bathroom instead; one gets the sense that these sisters have acted out this exact sequence of events thousands of times before.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024
Educators receive training on how to respond to students who have endured trauma and may be acting out as a result, with responses that can lead to alternatives to suspensions.
—Meredith Kolodner, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
In other words, acting out might intensify the issue that Karens are so worried about.
—Chloe Berger, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2024
Shortly after the 21-year-old pop star posted a TikTok acting out the Oscar-winning actress’ viral ad — which has been playing before every showing at the movie chain’s locations since 2021 — the Moulin Rouge star herself tipped her cap to Rodrigo on Instagram Stories Wednesday (March 27).
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2024
Paw Patrol fans will love acting out their favorite scenes from the movie with this $15 playmat, which comes with two toy cars and is currently 66% off; preschoolers can also engage in creative pretend play with a Melissa & Doug wooden cake-making playset that’s more than 50% off.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'act out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near act out
Cite this Entry
“Act out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/act%20out. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share