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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of act out
Disney Moana 2 Maui Magical Fishhook $20 at Target
A replica of Maui’s fishhook from the second movie is ideal for acting out scenes.
—
Quincy Bulin, Parents, 22 Nov. 2024
The job gives Charles a temporary purpose, as well as an excuse to clumsily act out various vintage spy movie fantasies.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2024
During the Renaissance, people in Italy would act out live nativity scenes to help tell the Christmas story.
—Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Dec. 2024
Denzel is finally able to act out his one-time fantasy of portraying Jean-Jacques Dessalines in a movie about the Haitian revolution.
—Armond White, National Review, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for act out 
Quincy Bulin, Parents, 22 Nov. 2024
The job gives Charles a temporary purpose, as well as an excuse to clumsily act out various vintage spy movie fantasies.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2024
During the Renaissance, people in Italy would act out live nativity scenes to help tell the Christmas story.
—Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Dec. 2024
Denzel is finally able to act out his one-time fantasy of portraying Jean-Jacques Dessalines in a movie about the Haitian revolution.
—Armond White, National Review, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for act out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act out
Verb
-
Since regaining control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the extremist group has intensified its oppression of women's rights: extensive censorship, mandatory male guardianship, and burqa/hijab dress-code enforcement that comes with severe penalties for disobeying.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
-
Despite being threatened to be reported for disobeying his officer’s direct orders to stay sheltered in the ditch, Kohler kept running.Alaa Elassar, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
During run-time, the AI carries on a conversation with a user.Lance Eliot, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
-
Mellen’s fashion sense may be carried on via Bell’s daughter, who is studying fashion design at the Savannah College of Art & Design.Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
At a group dinner, Benji begins acting up and acting out, eventually storming away — only to be heard playing the piano in the next room, and beautifully.Jenelle Riley, Variety, 20 Dec. 2024
-
Exactly zero of the acts up for Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song, or Best Rock Album are first-time nominees.Justin Curto, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Despite the cruelty at the heart of his regime, Glinda refuses to rebel against Oz, because his hierarchy is all she’s ever known; the status quo has been good to her.Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
-
Joining Beverly Hills and Coronado in rebelling against state housing rules: this blue-collar city.Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near act out
Cite this Entry
“Act out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act%20out. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share