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
But in a script Colorado fans have seen acted out too many times, Dallas kept finding ways to capitalize against the run of play.
—
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
Family described Wilks as an only son who was acting out of his character, which is normally soft-spoken and well-mannered.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Day-Lewis often acted out dialogue, as speed typist Ronan took everything down on the computer.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025
Some cases even involve disgruntled family members acting out of greed.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act out
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Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
Family described Wilks as an only son who was acting out of his character, which is normally soft-spoken and well-mannered.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Day-Lewis often acted out dialogue, as speed typist Ronan took everything down on the computer.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025
Some cases even involve disgruntled family members acting out of greed.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
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 15 Oct. 2025.
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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