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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of act out
Being faced with an unavoidable conflict or having to work versus connecting (think staying in to do chores or homework versus spending time with friends) is the fast-track to acting out.
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Maressa Brown,
Parents,
18 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
If sung through onstage, the singer would have to act out a complete narrative.
—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
Throughout, the show’s trademark surreality and sense of play allowed Sweeney to act out massive emotional swings and to edge into the absurd, as in a sequence where Cassie strides through Los Angeles, towering over buildings and dominating the men below.
—
Daniel D'addario,
Variety,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for act out
Maressa Brown,
Parents,
18 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
If sung through onstage, the singer would have to act out a complete narrative.
—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
Throughout, the show’s trademark surreality and sense of play allowed Sweeney to act out massive emotional swings and to edge into the absurd, as in a sequence where Cassie strides through Los Angeles, towering over buildings and dominating the men below.
—
Daniel D'addario,
Variety,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for act out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act out
Verb
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In addition, referees were instructed to apply the rules regarding fouls and misconducts more strictly – a move meant to protect players and their inventiveness.
Verb
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Santana-Mateo was booked on charges of breach of peace, engaging police in a pursuit, disobeying the direction of officer, reckless driving, failure to obey a stop sign, failure to drive right, failure to obey a traffic control signal and driving the wrong way on a one way.
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In 2024, the agency claimed that X security staff sometimes had to pointedly disobey Musk in order to remain in compliance.
Verb
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Do not use to cover a ceiling Do not carry the flag flat — and things should not be carried on it.
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Five of those have powered each variant of Russia’s R-7 rocket family since the 1950s, a legacy now carried on by the Soyuz launch vehicle.
Verb
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Currently, Screen Time often acts up and just cuts off access to all apps, whether it’s supposed to or not.
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Baye continued acting up until 2023.
Verb
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Years later, Billie keeps on rebelling – against everything.
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Not be outdone, a couple of New Jersey towns even 'rebelled' against data centers despite there being no plan to actually build them!
Cite this Entry
“Act out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act%20out. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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