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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of act out
In one scene, Davion steps into the center of the narrative, literally putting on Lizzie’s shoes, literally, Flood’s character can’t stand to act out a romance with her own father.
—
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
At one point, Swift acted out swooning, possibly in response to something Travis did on the field.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
In order to break free of those constraints, Hedda acts out and becomes an architect of destruction.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 23 Oct. 2025
The Kinahans seemed to be acting out of pure rage.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act out
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
At one point, Swift acted out swooning, possibly in response to something Travis did on the field.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
In order to break free of those constraints, Hedda acts out and becomes an architect of destruction.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 23 Oct. 2025
The Kinahans seemed to be acting out of pure rage.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act out
Verb
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Illinois State Police cited him on suspicion of disobeying a police officer – a petty offense punishable by a fine – Cook County court records show, and is scheduled to appear in court November 25.—
Nicquel Terry Ellis,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
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Harvick said the agency gave lawful orders for the crowd to move back, which were disobeyed.—
Daniella Silva,
NBC news,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Medium Crossgrain Leather Wallet is slim enough to slip into your favorite handbag, but stylish enough to carry on its own as a clutch.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
4 Nov. 2025
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Jordan Marshall was cramping in the fourth quarter and still gutted out seven carries on a drive that bled the final six minutes from the clock.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Its general sensibility seems more Superstore than The Office, down to the interstitial montages of customers acting up in the perpetually overcrowded waiting room.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Oct. 2025
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Sturm said his back started acting up after the team’s first practice.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But as happened with a controversial development planned for Cincinnati's Hyde Park neighborhood, residents rebelled – and forced a referendum to repeal the approval.—
Carl Weiser,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Nov. 2025
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The Beastie Boys had turned the simple art of rebelling against authority figures—teachers, parents, anyone who seemed like a teacher or a parent—into a rallying cry.—
Jonathan Garrett,
The Atlantic,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act%20out. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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