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
Lee Byung-hun was tasked to act out much of this subtly as In-ho (who watched Gi-hun from behind a mask in Season 1) studies Gi-hun through the various games while forming a bond with him and not letting his true thoughts out.
—
Matt Minton, Variety, 27 Dec. 2024
Signing free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman would change the narrative, but require them to act out of character and block a younger player, Jace Jung.
—Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Those concerns faded upon watching the murderer act out in court.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025
Marvel War Machine Mech Armor This 154-piece Marvel War Machine Mech Armor action figure comes with three stud shooters, so builders ages 6 and up can act out scenes from the saga.
—Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for act out 
Matt Minton, Variety, 27 Dec. 2024
Signing free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman would change the narrative, but require them to act out of character and block a younger player, Jace Jung.
—Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Those concerns faded upon watching the murderer act out in court.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025
Marvel War Machine Mech Armor This 154-piece Marvel War Machine Mech Armor action figure comes with three stud shooters, so builders ages 6 and up can act out scenes from the saga.
—Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for act out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act out
Verb
-
Hutchison is nominally a private company in Hong Kong, but in the Communist Party's system, no entity in the People's Republic can ignore or disobey an order from the ruling organization.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
-
Rosenblatt said in a statement Monday that King would plead guilty to five of those charges, including desertion, three counts of disobeying an officer, and assault on a noncommissioned officer.Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Based on that data training, modern-era AI does a relatively remarkable job of mimicking how humans interact and can carry on conversations.Lance Eliot, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
-
Advertisement Basketball and being a Bulldog are in the blood for Lewis, whose mom Melissa played at Buena and now works in the College and Career Center at her alma mater, getting to watch her daughter carry on the program’s winning tradition.Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Urban Meyer is getting increasingly frustrated with him and other players acting up, to the point that the stress and increasingly long work hours are beginning to really affect his physical health.Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2024
-
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
Verb
-
Some kids, growing up, want to rebel and follow a different path from their parents.Essence, Essence, 9 Jan. 2025
-
Meanwhile, break-off factions also started to rebel, the main one being the Banished, led by a Jiralhanae stalker named Atriox.Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 29 Dec. 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 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share