act out
verb
acted out; acting out; acts out
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
: 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
One theory the documentary presented was that Lewis acted out in revenge against Johnson & Johnson, Tylenol’s parent company.
—
Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025
While law enforcement believes that the suspect in D.C. acted alone, there is always a concern that individuals may act out following such attacks.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 22 May 2025
The accompanying video pays tribute to the popular anime Death Note and features the pair acting out a fan’s fan fiction.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2025
All of these dynamics combine to produce a volatile mix that could turn an escalating trade war into something more dangerous, with each side acting out of a sense of distrust, hostility, and resentment.
—Michael Swaine, Twin Cities, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for act out
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.
Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025
While law enforcement believes that the suspect in D.C. acted alone, there is always a concern that individuals may act out following such attacks.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 22 May 2025
The accompanying video pays tribute to the popular anime Death Note and features the pair acting out a fan’s fan fiction.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2025
All of these dynamics combine to produce a volatile mix that could turn an escalating trade war into something more dangerous, with each side acting out of a sense of distrust, hostility, and resentment.
—Michael Swaine, Twin Cities, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for act out
Cite this Entry
“Act out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/act%20out. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
: to behave badly or in a socially unacceptable often self-defeating manner especially as a means of venting painful emotions (as fear or frustration)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share