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
Friends Dog Grooming Car Toy Now for just $7, builders can act out a dog grooming scene with this Lego Friends kit.
—
Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
These men act out their crimes in reenactments, leading to what’s almost an exorcism for both the killer and the survivors.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
Children who are anxious may act out, have temper tantrums, or change their sleeping patterns, appetites, behavior, or moods, says Dr. Kumar.
—Tamekia Reece, Parents, 8 Jan. 2025
In one strip, the kids act out the horrible roar of an atomic bomb, and Snoopy has frequent aerial battles with the Red Baron.
—Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for act out 
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Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
These men act out their crimes in reenactments, leading to what’s almost an exorcism for both the killer and the survivors.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
Children who are anxious may act out, have temper tantrums, or change their sleeping patterns, appetites, behavior, or moods, says Dr. Kumar.
—Tamekia Reece, Parents, 8 Jan. 2025
In one strip, the kids act out the horrible roar of an atomic bomb, and Snoopy has frequent aerial battles with the Red Baron.
—Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for act out
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 Jan. 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)
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