as in to raise hell
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
These first signs, Pfeffer said, include constipation, a loss of smell and REM sleep behavior disorder, a condition in which people act out their dreams while sleeping.
—
Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
Last summer, large groups of teens acted out downtown; some attacked innocent people and destroyed property.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
This plan, many predicted, would be potentially dangerous for older patients with dementia who are acting out.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
Pixar has never hesitated to show childhood tumult before, or to explore the feelings that might lead someone to act out, but Elio’s combination of mourning and self-pity are a genuine challenge.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for act out
Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
Last summer, large groups of teens acted out downtown; some attacked innocent people and destroyed property.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
This plan, many predicted, would be potentially dangerous for older patients with dementia who are acting out.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
Pixar has never hesitated to show childhood tumult before, or to explore the feelings that might lead someone to act out, but Elio’s combination of mourning and self-pity are a genuine challenge.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for act out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act out
Verb
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Boasberg previously found probable cause to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt for willfully disobeying his order to immediately halt deportations.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
28 July 2025
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Jessica Leslie agreed to plead guilty to a charge of criminal contempt that accused her of willfully disobeying court rules against disclosure of grand jury information.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
15 July 2025
Verb
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In the years since her death, Winehouse's legacy has been carried on through documentaries, a biography, a foundation and, most recently, a biopic.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
23 July 2025
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But more so just to get that first one done, so that the progression can carry on, that’s the most exciting thing.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Millennials are all about heading to the doctor’s office when their guts start acting up—and both experts agreed that’s a positive thing.—
Alisa Hrustic,
Health,
29 July 2025
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Just in time for the big opening, Charlotte’s vertigo starts acting up.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
18 July 2025
Verb
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Determined to find a way out despite the painful testing and horrific consequences for rebelling.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
13 July 2025
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Were Susan and her brothers eager to rebel and create less commercial, more challenging music than their record company would allow?—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act%20out. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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