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
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Recent Examples of act out
Anybody so certain of anything — except maybe that the markets will be open for trading tomorrow — is acting out of their own self-serving interests to drive fear and gain more attention.
—
Todd Gordon, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
The tune was generated using AI music generator Suno, with the accompanying content created by the team at Particle6, used new techniques around performance capture, with Particle6 founder Eline van der Velden acting out Tilly’s performance.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026
Like other states around the country, Tennessee was closing its public psychiatric hospitals, and mentally ill people who acted out were simply being jailed.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Fleming acts out each detail with gusto, and this full sensory barrage earns him his loudest round of applause yet.
—John Roy, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for act out
Todd Gordon, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
The tune was generated using AI music generator Suno, with the accompanying content created by the team at Particle6, used new techniques around performance capture, with Particle6 founder Eline van der Velden acting out Tilly’s performance.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026
Like other states around the country, Tennessee was closing its public psychiatric hospitals, and mentally ill people who acted out were simply being jailed.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Fleming acts out each detail with gusto, and this full sensory barrage earns him his loudest round of applause yet.
—John Roy, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for act out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act out
Verb
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South Windsor police have charged Rodriguez with evading responsibility, disobeying the signal of an officer, reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit and improper use of a marker, license or registration.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
17 Mar. 2026
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Michael Schade, who works in the department’s traffic division, said most e-bike accidents were caused by riders disobeying basic traffic rules, like running red lights and not stopping at stop signs.—
Alissa Gary,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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So, what keeps the 75-year-old inspired to carry on?—
The Editors,
Outside,
18 Mar. 2026
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The talking heads series, which will cover culture, politics, tech, business, and faith, is set to be carried on platforms including YouTube, Spotify, Apple, and Rumble.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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Meanwhile, the guests, who have literally just arrived five minutes ago, are already acting up.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Masahiro Motoki — the Oscar-winning star of Departures — plays a lord who rebels against warlord Oda Nobunaga and barricades himself inside Arioka Castle, only to face a string of unsolved murders within its walls.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
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The release from the Independent Medical Alliance praised Cole for rebelling against mainstream medical guidance.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Act out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act%20out. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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