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 the clip, which was shared by celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, Jenner and Appleton, 42, acted out daughter Kim Kardashian's viral quote from The Kardashians.
—
Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for act out
Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for act out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act out
Verb
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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
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In Missouri, disobeying traffic lights is considered a moving violation.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
15 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 6 Nov. 2025.
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