as in ran riot
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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Recent Examples of acted out
The loyal troupe fought with bullies and acted out Smith’s tales, some of which were loosely based on her favorite books (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Little Women, Nancy Drew).
—
Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 31 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 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
Day-Lewis often acted out dialogue, as speed typist Ronan took everything down on the computer.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025
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
Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 31 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 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
Day-Lewis often acted out dialogue, as speed typist Ronan took everything down on the computer.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acted 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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This was neither the first nor the last time that Patton disobeyed an order.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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His legacy and laughter will be carried on through his family.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Oct. 2025
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Like a true professional, Garcia simply scooped up the item and carried on down the catwalk.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
17 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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By the 1970s and ’80s, the Obituary, like many classic cocktails, had lost popularity among a generation who rebelled against the drinks of their parents, preferring sweeter concoctions like the Long Island Iced Tea and Slippery Nipple.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acted out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acted%20out. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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