act out

verb

Definition of act outnext
as in to misconduct
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 & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of act out Whether defendant Tyler Robinson acted out of political animus could be key for prosecutors seeking the death penalty — or for his attorneys in taking that punishment off the table. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 Whether defendant Tyler Robinson acted out of political animus could be key for prosecutors seeking the death penalty - or for his attorneys in taking that punishment off the table. — CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 Pious femininity was being acted out with costumes, makeup, and abundant use of amen. — Robin Givhan, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026 The star, playing an unnamed Narrator, recruits audience members to help act out a story about grief, as her character recounts her mother’s depression and suicide attempts. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for act out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act out
  1. misconduct
  2. disobey
  3. carry on
  4. act up
  5. rebel
Verb
  • In addition, referees were instructed to apply the rules regarding fouls and misconducts more strictly – a move meant to protect players and their inventiveness.
    — Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
Definition of misconduct
Verb
  • Jeanie Buss also wants proof that Joey and Janie Buss disobeyed the 2017 court order, along with an order requiring them to show cause of why they should not be held in contempt of court.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The violations are disobeying orders and conduct unbecoming an officer.
    — Charlie D'Agata, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of disobey
Verb
  • Part of the frustration and fascination of these climbing docs is that the filmmakers can never quite answer the question of why these people — tenacious, but undoubtedly masochistic — carry on and up the mountain again and again.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Later that night, there’s more fallout from recent events — albeit of a more therapeutic kind — when Keeley and Rebecca share their problems while watching Bridesmaids before ending the night determined to carry on.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of carry on
Verb
  • Powell said the Cru team rarely gets such blowback because of its gentler approach, though the occasional troll will act up.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 26 July 2026
  • Currently, Screen Time often acts up and just cuts off access to all apps, whether it’s supposed to or not.
    — Tyler Hayes, PC Magazine, 9 June 2026
Definition of act up
Verb
  • Starring Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, the movie portrays three working women who rebel against their sexist boss.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Jones made rejection her trademark, rebelling against conformity and embracing an image and music that pushed boundaries and refused labels.
    — Lisa Whittington-Hill, Longreads, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of rebel

Browse Nearby Words

actors
act out
actress
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Act out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act%20out. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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