1
as in acts 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 cuts up
to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior
you should have seen the boys acting up when they put on their aprons
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Recent Examples of acts up
In the cold and austere German winter (a far cry from Dakar’s physical and cultural warmth), an anxious Nourou acts up outside a hotel and is accosted by a Polish security guard, setting off a minor chain reaction in which Maja intervenes on his behalf, much to his chagrin.
—
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
The kid acts up, the dad disciplines him and mom just sends a sorry text.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
The kid acts up, the dad disciplines him and mom just sends a sorry text.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acts up
Verb
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At these screenings, the film is shown on the big screen while a cast silently acts out the entire film in front of the audience.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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James acts out by angrily finishing the painting of a sign on the Guinness plant wall.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams shows off some Taco Bell goodies.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
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Next to the arm, an ankle — where Umansky is tagged — shows off a tattoo with four thin black lines.—
Emy LaCroix,
People.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the professor navigates retirement, the baby grows into a rambunctious child who rebels against the traditions of her fishing community.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acts up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acts%20up. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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