as in to misconduct
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 act out
Particularly when your partner has to act out romantic scenes with someone else.
—
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 30 Mar. 2026
Mia is really acting out her character and has butt pads so lumpy that Michelle Visage got up off her couch to come over to the Hamptons to yell at her.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
But gaslighters don't necessarily act out of pure malice, Sweet says.
—Emma Bowman, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
Reports from those calls reveal a spectrum of youth behaviors, from hallway bullying to acting out because of problems at home.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for act out
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 30 Mar. 2026
Mia is really acting out her character and has butt pads so lumpy that Michelle Visage got up off her couch to come over to the Hamptons to yell at her.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
But gaslighters don't necessarily act out of pure malice, Sweet says.
—Emma Bowman, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
Reports from those calls reveal a spectrum of youth behaviors, from hallway bullying to acting out because of problems at home.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for act out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act out
Verb
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However, all of the city’s fire stations seemingly disobeyed the mayor by lowering their flags.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Trump had to relent on a scheme to prosecute Fed Chair Jerome Powell for disobeying White House commands to cut interest rates.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Equations define lines that carry on off the chalkboard, but to where?—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
29 Apr. 2026
-
As spring carries on and summer approaches, our homes are already starting to get hot and stuffy.—
Nolan Lewis,
Architectural Digest,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Baye continued acting up until 2023.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
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There is no defeat quite like sitting down for a gaming session after a 10-hour workday, hoping to get your woes out by winning some battles, but your ancient monitor decides to act up.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Čapek’s robots, which are indistinguishable from humans, rise up and rebel against their creators, a plot that anticipates many robot stories that would follow.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2026
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When garnished with the story of an impetuous son who rebelled against a Mughal emperor, that lamb broth does give a different kick.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Act out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act%20out. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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