Synonyms of acting out

acting out

verb

present participle of act out

as in running 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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• running riot
• acting up
• carrying on
• disobeying
• raising Cain
• misconducting
• rebelling
• misbehaving
• cutting up
• kidding (around)
• horsing around
• clowning (around)
• fooling around
• showing off
• roughhousing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• acting
• obeying
• conducting
• bearing
• containing
• quitting
• complying
• moving
• handling
• controlling
• conforming
• checking
• collecting
• composing
• acquitting
• restraining
• inhibiting
• deporting
• curbing
• demeaning
• comporting
• constraining
• quieting
• repressing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of acting out

When the child started acting out at home, his family reportedly started asking questions of the boy and made a report to law enforcement. — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

The film’s star, Robin Williams, can be seen acting out a scene with costar Adam Zolotin, who played young Louis. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026

Abarca claimed that White was acting out an ongoing vendetta against him. — Ilana Arougheti july 21, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026

When a teacher, coach, counselor, pediatrician, or school psychologist sees a boy who is withdrawing, escalating, or acting out, that should prompt care. — Wes Moore, STAT, 1 July 2026

But parents could make a lesson out of going on a trip to the bank, or with very young children, Tsuei recommends pretend play, such as acting out buying toys from a store. — Jillian Pretzel, Parents, 30 June 2026

But, again, is acting out of expediency and the desire to streamline a conclusive end the same as delivering a final season representing the best of The Bear? — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026

The statement accused Blake of acting out of retaliation for an incident that occurred earlier in the lacrosse season. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026

This natural state of paralysis prevents the body from physically acting out dreams, which could otherwise lead to injury, Drerup explained. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 17 May 2026