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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of act up
The elbows acted up again this past offseason, forcing Stanton to stop swinging a few weeks before reporting to spring training.
—
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2025
The sisters may have spent weeks teasing the first single off their new album through several funny little videos and familiar-looking album art, but the tell-tale sign of new Haim music is when the weather gets good and people feel like acting up.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2025
In recent weeks, we are told that Phillips has at points been acting up for Moore after Moore broke her ankle while skiing, and she is understood to have been dipping her toe into drama.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2025
This includes Isla having to do damage control when the team’s star acts up off the court, and dealing with an overbearing parent of a player.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act up
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2025
The sisters may have spent weeks teasing the first single off their new album through several funny little videos and familiar-looking album art, but the tell-tale sign of new Haim music is when the weather gets good and people feel like acting up.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2025
In recent weeks, we are told that Phillips has at points been acting up for Moore after Moore broke her ankle while skiing, and she is understood to have been dipping her toe into drama.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2025
This includes Isla having to do damage control when the team’s star acts up off the court, and dealing with an overbearing parent of a player.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act up
Verb
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Scenarios are acted out involving a rabbit who enjoys frequenting the circus and a ticket-taker bear who relishes enforcing the rules with all his brutal might.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
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Prosecutors told the court that Vallow Daybell had acted out of self-interest, not self-preservation, with plans to cash in on her estranged husband’s $1 million life insurance policy.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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How To Make Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Prep bacon: To make this recipe even easier, cut up your bacon before cooking it.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
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The government still leads all sectors in job cuts through the first four months of the year, with government cuts up 680% compared to the first four months of 2024.—
Molly Bohannon,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Designed by Jennifer Horev, a new market display will show off the company’s growing line of products, including protein bars, snacks, apparel, homeware and a signature scent.—
Connie Ogle,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2025
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The teaser, which can be seen below, shows off the series’ all-star cast, which includes: Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash-Betts, Teyana Taylor, and Matthew Noszka, with Sarah Paulson and Glenn Close.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Four people are facing charges in Louisiana for horsing around in a small-town Walmart last week. Video that was posted on TikTok and went viral on social media showed three men and a teenage boy riding horses through the business in Baker, Louisiana.—
Elizabeth Pritchett,
FOXNews.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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Quit horsing around — the Clydesdales are back!—
Breanne L. Heldman,
People.com,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The driver was issued a citation for disobeying the crossing gates, Pieritz said.—
Samantha Moilanen,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2025
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The Captain made the decision to go rogue and return to shore, disobeying the orders of corporate.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Barack Obama was the first president to communicate with the public through social media, a practice carried on by his successors, Donald Trump and Joe Biden.—
Smithsonian magazine,
Smithsonian Magazine,
15 May 2025
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But, unlike most drivers who would just carry on with their journey, this man patiently waits, making sure the children safely enter their home before driving away.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 May 2025
Verb
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As few as four lawmakers rebelling in the House or Senate could derail the final package, as no Democrats are expected to support the legislation.—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
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Medicaid benefits: Moderates are rebelling against per-capita spending caps, as well as shifting some of the cost burden to the states.—
Hans Nichols,
Axios,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act%20up. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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