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
Then there was Erik Wilson, who has been DoP across all three films, plus Javier Marzan, the professional clown who acted out many of Paddington’s more physical comedy scenes for the animators to work with.
—
Alex Ritman, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024
The pro scout preparing advance reports on opponents will go through the roster and highlight players prone to having their buttons pushed and acting out.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2024
The videos, which have amassed millions of views, all start the same; a narrator lip-syncs the opening lyrics as their classmates dance around to act out the story of the song's protagonist, Simón.
—Quispe López, Them, 28 Oct. 2024
When Adam acts out, Drew is often sworn at, derided, manipulated and disrespected.
—Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for act out 
Alex Ritman, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024
The pro scout preparing advance reports on opponents will go through the roster and highlight players prone to having their buttons pushed and acting out.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2024
The videos, which have amassed millions of views, all start the same; a narrator lip-syncs the opening lyrics as their classmates dance around to act out the story of the song's protagonist, Simón.
—Quispe López, Them, 28 Oct. 2024
When Adam acts out, Drew is often sworn at, derided, manipulated and disrespected.
—Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for act out
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'act out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Act out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/act%20out. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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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