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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 Traditional Rocky Horror movie showings include a costumed cast acting out the events on screen, with bags of props handed out for audience participation during certain scenes. — Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Garcia lends the whole song theater-kid interpretation, essentially acting out the lyrics in pantomime, grasping out in front of her, clutching her face. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 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. — 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 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
  • Cops had issued summonses to the driver twice before, once in 2024 for failing to yield to a pedestrian and in 2018 for disobeying a traffic device, officials said.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of disobey
Verb
  • The acquisition also puts Lewis in the somewhat unusual position of carrying on the businesses of two veteran New York printmakers who helped shape his career.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Lizárraga has carried on the legacy of his father, who passed away just as the band was arriving in Europe for the first time three decades ago.
    — Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of carry on
Verb
  • Six weeks later, when that integration acts up again, the institutional memory that used to shorten the investigation may not be there.
    — Sanjay Gidwani, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026
  • 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
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 19 Sep. 2026.

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