act out

verb

acted out; acting out; acts out

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Kinahans seemed to be acting out of pure rage. Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025 As the hitmaker sang while wearing a short white robe and black belt as a dress, background dancers acted out a fight sequence behind her. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2025 But when her school’s principal suggests that her acting out might be covering up a learning disability, Claire’s mom is hesitant to have her evaluated. Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025 In the clip, which was shared by celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, Jenner and Appleton, 42, acted out daughter Kim Kardashian's viral quote from The Kardashians. Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for act out

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of act out was circa 1616

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Act out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/act%20out. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

act out

verb
1
: to represent in action
children act out what they read
2
: to behave badly especially as a way of letting out painful emotions

Medical 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

intransitive verb

: to behave badly or in a socially unacceptable often self-defeating manner especially as a means of venting painful emotions (as fear or frustration)

More from Merriam-Webster on act out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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