as in raised hell
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
Relevance
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 acted out
Advocates say the footage undermines claims that agents acted out of fear for their lives, while federal officials insist an ongoing investigation will clarify what happened.
—
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
The dysfunctional group dynamic is key to Hallett’s books, whether acted out by a community-theater troupe or the students in a master’s art program.
—Lisa Henricksson, Air Mail, 20 Sep. 2025
Prosecutors argued the brothers acted out of greed, resorting to murder to get their multimillion-dollar inheritances before being cut out of their parents’ will.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2025
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
The dysfunctional group dynamic is key to Hallett’s books, whether acted out by a community-theater troupe or the students in a master’s art program.
—Lisa Henricksson, Air Mail, 20 Sep. 2025
Prosecutors argued the brothers acted out of greed, resorting to murder to get their multimillion-dollar inheritances before being cut out of their parents’ will.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acted out
Verb
-
Along with allied criminal groups, the syndicate’s crimes led to the deaths of 10 people who disobeyed the group’s management or tried to escape the compounds, according to the Chinese court’s statement.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That mission is carried on today through his archive, which serves as a community-building platform and resource to create shared and public spaces for art.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Beck left the Yardbirds in 1966, and the group carried on with Page as the sole guitarist and Dreja on bass.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As if a 22-year-old with a trans girlfriend never rebelled against their family.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Redford rebelled against his father’s cautiousness and indeed against all expectations, even after the family moved to the more upscale Van Nuys.—
Stephen Galloway,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acted out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acted%20out. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share