Synonyms of act up

act up

verb

1

as in to act out

to behave badly

the two-year-old was acting up in church so much that her dad had to take her outside

Synonyms & Similar Words

• act out
• misconduct
• disobey
• carry on
• run riot
• rebel
• raise Cain
• misbehave
• cut up
• show off
• horse around
• kid (around)
• fool around
• clown (around)
• roughhouse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• act
• obey
• conduct
• bear
• quit
• comply
• conform
• move
• contain
• check
• control
• handle
• collect
• acquit
• compose
• restrain
• inhibit
• comport
• curb
• deport
• demean
• quiet
• constrain
• repress

2

as in to cut up

to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior

you should have seen the boys acting up when they put on their aprons

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cut up
• show off
• horse around
• fool around
• clown (around)
• revel
• monkey (around)
• carry on
• roar
• hotdog
• showboat
• skylark
• misbehave
• lark
• cavort
• romp
• frolic
• frisk
• caper
• carouse
• gambol
• roughhouse
• rollick
• disport
• maffick
• wassail

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of act up

Bruce, as the stunt shark built to menace them is nicknamed, is acting up and delaying the acting itself. — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026

Meanwhile, the guests, who have literally just arrived five minutes ago, are already acting up. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026

Excess dust may also cause your allergies to act up. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 22 Feb. 2026

Koutouvides transitioned to life after football, found success in real estate development throughout Connecticut, but the pain of losing the Super Bowl twinges and acts up like an old joint injury. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026