act out

verb

acted out; acting out; acts out

transitive verb

1
a
: to represent in action
children act out what they read
b
: to translate into action
unwilling to act out their beliefs
2
: to express (something, such as an impulse or a fantasy) directly in overt behavior without modification to comply with social norms

intransitive verb

: to behave badly or in a socially unacceptable often self-defeating manner especially as a means of venting painful emotions (such as fear or frustration)

Examples of act out in a Sentence

because his parents spent so much time with his chronically ill sister, the boy resorted to acting out in order to get attention
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Though no illnesses have been reported so far, the recalling company has acted out of an abundance of caution. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024 Tom Reed, who runs the Milwaukee branch of the State Public Defender's Office, interacts with many people facing criminal charges after acting out during a mental health crisis. Eva Wen, Journal Sentinel, 11 Dec. 2024 There are concerns in the law enforcement community that these writings could cause others to act out in a similar capacity, those officials said. NBC News, 11 Dec. 2024 Wim’s action figures resemble Luke Skywalker in white and Darth Vader in black but aren’t explicitly shown to be those characters, and the lightsaber fight Wim and Neel act out, with one combatant reacting to an injured arm, seems to evoke The Empire Strikes Back without actually naming it. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for act out 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of act out was circa 1616

Dictionary Entries Near act out

Cite this Entry

“Act out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/act%20out. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

act out

verb
1
: to represent in action
children act out what they read
2
: to behave badly especially as a way of letting out painful emotions

Medical Definition

act out

transitive verb
: to express (as an impulse or a fantasy) directly in overt behavior without modification to comply with social norms
act out an adolescent fantasy

intransitive verb

: to behave badly or in a socially unacceptable often self-defeating manner especially as a means of venting painful emotions (as fear or frustration)

More from Merriam-Webster on act out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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